INTRODUCTION ΤΟ GEOGRAPHY AND ASTRONOMY, WITH THE USE OF THE GLOBES. BY E. AND J. BRUCE. TENTH EDITION, CONTAINING, BESIDES OTHER ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS, AN EPITOME OF ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY, BY THE REV. J. C. BRUCE, A.M., WITH THE ADDITION OF THIRTY WOODCUTS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO. 1846. 696. PREFACE TO THE TENTH EDITION. THE foundation of every system of Geography ought to be an exhibition of the natural features of the surface of the earth. The political condition of countries is constantly varying, their physical aspect is comparatively permanent. The details of physical geography are peculiarly valuable to the youthful student, as tending to nurture a spirit of rational inquiry, and as exhibiting much of that harmony which subsists amongst the several parts of the material universe. This principle has been steadily kept in view in the preparation of the various editions of this work. But whilst a survey of the natural features of the globe must form the groundwork of geographical knowledge, the results of the efforts of man are too important to be summarily dismissed. In the following work the boundaries of the great political divisions of the earth are described, the position and peculiar features of the most important towns and cities are indicated, and a condensed view of the commerce, the government, the religion, and the character of each principal community is given. Those who have previously used the book will find that considerable additions have been made to it. The list of towns appended to each country has in nearly every instance been extended, the account of South America has been made more complete, and numerous notices of interesting facts in history, biography, botany, |