[ 5 6 3 ] 
LX XIV 7 . A port Differ tation on Maps and 
Charts : In a Letter to the Rev . Thomas 
Birch, D . D. and Secret. R. S. By Mr. 
Wm. Mountaine, F. R. S. 
SIR, London, March 21. 1758. 
Read April 6. MONG the feveral improvements 
made in arts and fciences by inge- 
nious men, the condrudtion of glebes , maps , or charts , 
deferves a place : not only on account of the pleafure 
and fatisfadtion that arifes to fpeculative minds, in 
furveying the extent and dividons of this terraqueous 
globe, but alfo for their real ufe and fervice to navi- 
gation, trade, and commerce. 
Globes perhaps were drd invented, as bearing the 
neared; femblance to the natural form of the earth 
and fea, with proper circles thereon deferibed, and 
the feveral empires and kingdoms, according to their 
extent, latitudes, and longitudes, as far as geography 
and hidory would admit. 
But tho’ thefe convey the mod: general and trued; 
ideas of the pofition and dtuation of places ; yet, as 
containing but a fmall furface, they were found not 
extenfive enough to take in particular kingdoms or 
dates, with their fubdividons, cities, and rivers, fo 
as to convey an adequate and fudicient reprefentation. 
Beddes, they were not fo portable and commodious 
in voyages or travels. 
Maps and Charts were therefore thought of, as 
being mod convenient for both the purpofes above- 
4 C 2 mentioned : 
