374 
GEOGRAPHICAL SYSTEMS 
full third was cut off, both from the length and 
breadth of Asia, and the northern and eastern 
oceans supposed to be proportionally at a smaller 
distance. 
The first geographical system which can deserve 
the name is that of Herodotus. In the narrative 
of this father of history, is found a pretty full de- 
scription of all those regions of the globe which 
were then known ; and the accuracy of his reports, 
after having once appeared somewhat problemati- 
cal, has risen in estimation in proportion to the 
more extended discoveries of modern times. To 
him, as to other ancients, who sought to explore 
the interior of Africa, the Nile formed always the 
leading object and guide. The singularity of its 
phenomena, the mysterious grandeur of the regions 
which it traversed, and the unknown fountains 
whence its long course was derived, caused it al- 
ways to be viewed with deeper interest than any 
other object presented by ancient geography. He- 
rodotus shews himself to have known its course 
higher, probably, than it has been traced by any mo- 
dern European. From Elephantine, at the south- 
ern extremity of Egypt, to Meroe, the capital of 
Ethiopia, was a journey of fifty-two days, and from 
thence an equal distance to the country of Auto- 
moles or Exiles ; making in all a hundred and four 
days' journey. The precise point is difficult to fix ; 
but the belief that this great river came from the 
