ELEMENTS OF MODERN GEOGRAPHY FOR THE USE OF JUNIOR CLASSES BY THE REV. ALEXANDER MACKAY A. M. F. R. G. S. Author of a 'Manual of Modern Geography, Mathematical, Physical, and Political, WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS MDCCCLXIV 200. 201. g. PREFACE. THE 'Manual of Modern Geography' recently published was designed for those who have made some proficiency in that science, and especially for teachers, who will find in its ample contents all the information they are likely to require in preparing for the geographical lesson. The work now issued has been expressly prepared to suit the wants and capacities of the pupil. Consisting in the main of a careful abridgment of the 'Manual,' it purposely omits several details which, however interesting to the instructor, seemed out of place in an elementary schoolbook. The space thus saved has been occupied, it is thought, more advantageously with a record of the progress of numerous states and of recent geographical discovery. In all other respects the volume forms an accurate synopsis of the 'Manual;' while, to suit the convenience of teachers, the order of arrangement is in both works the same. As the Elements,' in common with the work of which it is an epitome, differs considerably from other school geographies, it may be necessary here to point out its leading peculiarities:— 1. In addition to the "Boundaries" of each country, as usually described, its relative position—that is to say, its position in regard to other countries-is invariably indicated by enumerating all the important cities on the globe occupying the same latitude as its capital. 2. The "Area and Population" of every country or state is uniformly compared with those of the British Isles, or with one or other of the three kingdoms which they embrace. 3. In the "Political Divisions" of the various states, the cities and towns are set down in a new, but perfectly simple and natural, order. When it is borne in mind that all the cities in the world stand on the banks of rivers or on the sea-coast, and that without the rivers the cities would never have been built, it is obvious that the only true order of arranging the latter is that which they already occupy on the rivers to which they belong, and which, it may be said, have called them into existence. In no system of geography, founded on natural principles, can this connection be overlooked. 4. In close connection with this is the section designated "Table of Rivers and Towns," in which all the rivers in each country are arranged in the order in which their mouths would occur to one sailing along the coast, while their affluents or tributaries are given in the order in which they would be observed by one sailing up the main stream. In like manner, in enumerating the towns on their banks, the student is supposed to commence at the mouth of the river and to proceed towards its source. Thus, the entire extent of each river-basin, together with all the more important towns within its area, are seen at a glance. 5. To aid the pupil still further in remembering the lists of towns comprised in the various provinces, and to interest him more effectually in the study of geography, the towns are accompanied by numerous, brief, and pointed "Descriptive Notes," setting forth everything really remarkable connected with their history, position, or material resources. 6. The "Mountains" and "Lakes" are more systematically arranged, and their connection with the river-basins more closely exhibited, than in any other existing Geography. 7. The sections describing the "Climate," "Minerals," and "Botany" have been drawn up with unusual care, and with constant reference to the latest researches. 8. The articles headed "Ethnography" are the result of much patient investigation, and embrace brief notices of the races, languages, religions, form of government, finances, industrial pursuits, manufactures, commerce, internal communication, and foreign possessions (if any) of the various countries. 9. As the "Pronunciation" of geographical names is invariably a matter of considerable interest to teacher and pupil alike, the Author has done his utmost to satisfy every reasonable wish in that direction, by inserting, under each European state, short but explicit Rules, founded on the peculiar genius of the language of the country, and followed by appropriate examples. The Author indulges the hope that, in regard to each of these distinguishing characteristics, the changes are in the right direction; and that this little treatise will contribute its mite in rendering more attractive that deeply interesting, but hitherto comparatively neglected, science, to which he has now devoted so many years of close attention. He would be guilty, however, of great ingratitude were he to conclude this Preface without again expressing his many obligations to Mr A. Keith Johnston, Her Majesty's Geographer for Scotland, for his kindly proffered aid in revising the proof-sheets, and for the many items of recent and valuable information with which he supplied the Author while the work was passing through the press. The various school atlases of that distinguished geographer have been constantly referred to during the preparation of this compendium, but more especially his accurate and beautiful 'SCHOOL ATLAS OF GENERAL GEOGRAPHY,' which stands in a still closer relationship to this work than it did to the 'Manual,' inasmuch as all the names introduced into the Elements' will be found in that Atlas. RAYNIE, February 1864. |