( '94 ) 
and technical language, that they poftpone 
the fludy of Geography, till they have at 
leaft fix months to fpare. Probably you 
will be furprifed when I aver, that all the 
Geography neceffary to a gentleman and a 
polite fcholar, may be taught in the com- 
pafs of a very few pages? perhaps within 
the limits of a moderate letter, or two. 
What is the fcience of Geography? Its 
derivation from yy terra and y^ ftribo 9 
anfwers the queftion. It is then, a defcrip- 
tion of the Earth j a knowledge of the ab- 
folute and relative fituations of empires, 
kingdoms, provinces, &c. It is generally 
made to include, the ufe of the globes, but im- 
properly. Confidering the Earth as a globe, 
making a part of the folar fyfrem, it be- 
comes an object of Aftronomy. Geography 
is no farther concerned in the Earth's mo- 
tion, and dependence on other bodies, than 
as they affeft the various climates on its 
furface. This fcience therefore may be ilu- 
died with equal propriety, and much more 
conveniency, in the maps which cover the 
walls of this room, than on a terreftrial 
globe. 
Let us begin with that in the centre: the 
map of the World. It confifts, you perceive, 
of 
