The principal of which are, the equator, the two tropics, and These fixed stars follow in their course parallel circles Theįixed stars turn round with it, at the same rate as the whole. Round both the earth and its axis, from east to west. The tendency of all bodies having weight, is to a centre.įurther, the earth being spheroidal, and having the sameĬentre as the heavens, is motionless, as well as the axis which Here are aįew of the facts established by natural philosophers. The ‘perfect sciences’ they define as those which, depending on no external hypothesis, have their origin, and theĮvidence of their propositions, in themselves. Trust entirely for the arrangement of the subject they areĮngaged on to the geometers, who have measured the wholeĮarth they in their turn to astronomers and these again to Those who write on the science of Geography should Information he does not pretend to expound Geography. Instructions to account for those who are destitute of this Primary facts therefore those who hear him, if they haveĪ knowledge of mathematics, will readily be able to turn his He will advance nothing which is not a consequence of these May be able to lend their whole attention to other points. Have already settled this in their minds as a fact, that they He requests that those who approach him shall It to be, and who admits every other fact resulting from this Is convinced that the earth is such as mathematicians declare Or ditcher, that the geographer labours but it is for him who Nothing for abstract mathematics, still less is it for the reaper But it is not forĪny particular nation, nor for the man of the world who cares Will adopt the opinions of the place and every country hasĬertain mistaken views of these matters. Slight attention to the subject, on all mathematical points he Whether the country he chances to be in may be under the Not aid the object he has in view, any more than to know Holds the sun rise and set, and attain the meridian, but with. Unacquainted with the varied aspect of the heavens, he be. Which answer equally for the direction both of the unlearnedĪnd of the man of the world. Those who compose Geographies The traveller, whetherīy sea or land, is directed by certain common appearances, Such facts as these should ever be present to the mind of Indications of the celestial phenomena, and with the motionsĪnd appearance of the sun and stars, in respect to us. The tourist travelling over vast plains like those ofīabylon, or journeying by sea, may fancy that the wholeĬountry stretched before, behind, and on either side of him isĪ plane-surface he may be unacquainted with the counter. Sufficiently exact idea of the geographical, but not to one who is unacquainted with those The sake of illustration represented as a plane, this will give a Reality the surface of the earth is spherical, although here for To a man already acquainted with the arrangement and motions of the heavens, and aware that in Likewise the west, the east, and the south, which are common Iberia and India with the intermediate countries, and define Represent to the mind on one and the same plane-surface Undertakes to describe the situation of the various regions of Its shape, magnitude, degree of heat and cold, and similarįacts much less should he who Of the place, its position in respect to celestial appearances, Neither builder nor architect could build house or city properly and as it ought to be, unless acquainted with the climax His work in accordance with, and in full reliance on, these Write a Chorography, should receive as axioms certain physical and mathematical propositions, and frame the rest of We start with a maxim we laidĭown at the commencement, that whoever undertakes to AFTER these criticisms on the writers who have preceded us, we must now confine our attention to the ful-įilment of our promise.
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