school-room-and, in connection with the Key, presents to the learner a lively picture of the Earth-its moral, political, and physical aspects-with a graphic description of each country, confined to the most interesting and characteristic matter. 7 feet by 7 feet. 1. Political and Physical Map of Western Hemisphere, 7 feet by 7 feet 7 feet by 7 feet. 6 feet by 6 feet 10 in. 6 feet by 6 feet 8 in. 6 feet by 7 feet. These Maps are superior to any Series of Outline Maps published in this Country or Europe, and the publishers invite the attention of School Committees, Trustees, and Teachers to the following considerations: 1. They are the largest, best executed, most comprehensive, and the most distinctly delineated. 2. They are printed on superfine paper. 3. They are colored with the most brilliant, expensive, and durable colors. 4. They are mounted with rollers and mouldings in the most substantial manner. 5. They are well sized and highly varnished, which preserves the brilliancy of the colors, and gives them strength and durability. Hence, whenever they become soiled by long exposure or otherwise, they can be cleansed with a moist sponge or cloth, without receiving any injury. 6. In their construction, the author has availed himself of the most reliable information furnished by the liberality of our own government, and also of the rich stores of geographical works furnished by the governments of Europe, especially those of France and England. These Maps are accompanied by a Key, containing a large number of the most important geographical names in the known world, arranged in verse. This, as experience proves, not only renders the study highly attractive, but greatly facilitates the acquisition of the leading features of geography as well as the pronunciation of geographical names. The spelling of Oriental and some other names, in the Key, will be found occasionally to differ from that which occurs in our school atlases. As the same name is often spelled differently on different maps, causing great embarrassment to both teacher and pupil, and sometimes giving rise to serious errors, the author has, after a careful examination of the subject, adopted the admirable system set forth in Baldwin's Pronouncing Gazetteer, page 28, section XV. This system will, he is persuaded, be found at once complete, simple, and satisfactory. In teaching geography, nothing is more important, and nothing has occasioned⭑ more embarrassment to the thorough and conscientious teacher, than the pronunciation of geographical names. The author has, therefore, been at great pains to give the correct pronunciation of many difficult names in the Key, and to make the accentuation of the names occurring in the verse correspond with the true pronunciation, as established by the best authorities. It is believed, therefore, that in point of accuracy, (apart from its other merits,) the Key to either series of Maps will be found superior to any other work of the sort hitherto published. The want of a correct and perfectly reliable system of geographical pronunciation has been felt by every good teacher, and it affords the author great pleasure to be able now to state that Baldwin's Pronouncing Gazetteer, containing the pronunciation of all the difficult names found in our best school atlases and geographies, supplies this want in the most satisfactory manner. It is invaluable to every teacher and learner, and should be used as a text-book in every school in the United States. The author would observe that to this work he must refer as his authority for the spelling and pronunciation of names occurring in the Key to either series of his Maps, and for the full explanation of many points in connection with these subjects, to which the plan and limits of this work only permit him to allude. Philadelphia, 1851. PREFACE. In offering to the public a work like the present,-which, in some of its important characteristics, is entirely new,—the author feels himself called upon to explain briefly the object of the work, and the motives which induced him to prepare it for publication. Geography, as has been truly said, is one of the most interesting, useful, and practical of the sciences. Nothing has contributed more to the general intelligence of the people of the United States-to their knowledge of the natural and physical condition of the earth-to their familiarity with the soil and productions of every climate-to their acquaintance with the inhabitants of all countries, in all their vast variety from barbarism to refinement-to their extensive intercourse and commerce with all nations-and to the perfection of our social and civil institutions, and the enhancement of individual enjoyment-than the universal study of Geography in all our schools. Yet the knowledge of this science, heretofore acquired during the long period of elementary education, has been the result of long and tedious labor on the part of the learner. The object of the author, therefore, has been, in preparing this work for publication, in connection with his Series of Outline Maps, to render the study of Geography more pleasing and interesting, and to put the learner in possession of facilities for acquiring a more extensive and permanent knowledge of this useful science in a short period of time. A desire to accomplish this object led to the publication of the author's first Series of Outline Maps, several years ago, and it is now the concurrent testimony of the educators of the highest respectability and of the greatest experience, both in this country and in Europe, that the method of teaching Geography from large and boldly delineated maps without names, is superior to all others in respect-first, to facility of acquirement; secondly, durability of impression; and thirdly, discipline of the mind. The principle of this method of instruction is,-teaching by the eye,-based on that law of intellect, that "the objects of sight more readily become the subjects of conception and memory than those of the other senses, and the more distinctly they are seen, the more lively is the conception, and more lasting the impression on the mind." The Maps have been constructed on a large scale, with special reference to this principle, and by presenting to the eye a bold, clear, and attractive representation of the earth, the mind is early led abroad to survey its Continents and Islands, its Oceans and Seas, its Lakes and Rivers, its Soil and Productions, the Physical and Moral condition of Man, and receives an expansion which no other study could equally afford. To accomplish his object more successfully, and to render the study of Geography in the highest degree pleasing and interesting to the pupil, the author has connected with it the science of music-a science which seldom fails to awaken the feelings, and arouse both the physical and intellectual powers into renewed and vigorous action. Every day furnishes proof, abundant and positive, of the exhilarating effect and controlling influence of music over the youthful mind. If it is employed as a means of giving expression to the purest and most refined sentiments of the heart, and the sublimest emotions of the soul, shall its aid be denied in awakening and securing the attention of the young, and impressing upon the mind facts pertaining to one of the most useful and practical of the sciences? With respect to the versification, it is merely necessary to say, that the design has been to put all the important geographical locations on the globe, in connection with much valuable matter, in a form that can be the most easily committed to memory; and it is confidently believed, that the exhilarating effect of harmonious sounds will greatly facilitate the acquisition of this knowledge; and care has been taken that none but popular and approved airs be inserted in the work. The difficulties which attend the adaptation of verse to such purposes, (especially when brevity and comprehensiveness are required,) can be estimated only by those who have tried a similar experiment. TO TEACHERS. THE FIRST LESSON TO BE LEARNED BY THE PUPIL. EXPLANATION OF THE KEY, OR DIRECTIONS FOR ASCERTAINING THE NAME AND SITUATION OF ANY COUNTRY, ISLAND, LAKE, RIVER, ETC., ON THE MAPS. By looking on the Map of the Western Hemisphere, you will see that it in divided into a large number of small Spaces or Areas by the Parallels of Latitude and Meridians,-lines running across the Map, from side to side, and from the top to the bottom. In the Middle of these small Spaces or Areas, you will see a Figure or Number, 1, 2, 3, 5, 20, 50, 56, 86, 91, 127, 130, &c. These Figures or Numbers will often be found in the Key, after the name of a Country, Island, Lake, &c., with the letters M., N., S., E., W., &c. When these letters are found in the Key in connection with the Numbers, they have reference to different parts of the Spaces or Areas on the Map. M. refers to the Middle of the Space or Area on the Map; N. refers to the North part of the Space or Area; S. refers to the South part of it; E. refers to the East part of it; W. refers to the West part of it; N. E. to the North-east part; S. E. to the South-east part; N. W. to the North-west part; S. W. to the South-west part. By the aid of the Numbers and Letters found in the Key, you will be able to find any Country, Island, Lake, River, &c., represented on the Map. EXAMPLES. On page 20, see-Russian America, 20, 21. On the Map of the Western Hemisphere you will see the same Numbers, 20, 21, in Russian America, which show where it is on the Map. On page 34, see-Great Slave Lake, 24 S. You will see Great Slave Lake on the Map, in the South part of the Space or Area numbered 24. Great Bear Lake, 23 E., 24 W. You will see Great Bear Lake partly in the East part of the Space numbered 23, and partly in the West part of the Space numbered 24. Athabasca Lake, 43 N. W. Michigan, 53 M. You will see the State of Michigan on the Map, in the Middle of the Space numbered 53. Newfoundland, 56 N. See this island in the North part of the Space numbered 56. Hayti, 91 N. E. Cuba, 78 S. E., 79 S. W. Gulf of Mexico, 77, 78. Caribbean Sea, 91, 92. Mackenzie's River, 22 N., 23 M. & S. E. Orinoco River, 105 M. & N. And then we will go where the Mountain peaks hang o'er us, And where brighter skies shall smile in beauty o'er u And where the red Volcanoes spread Where Summer reigns o'er flowery plains Throughout all the year, Destruction around! We'll trace each Island far and near, Peach Peninsula appear, The onward will we steer Through Gulf, Bay, and Sound. There too delighted let us stray, GEOGRAPHICAL DEFINITIONS. 1. GEOGRAPHY is a description of the surface of the Earth. 2. The Earth is a large globe, ball, or sphere. 3. Its surface is composed of land and water. 4. About one-fourth of its surface is land, and three-fourths water. 1. AIR-Auld Lang Syne.* The Earth is a large ball or globe, And but one-fourth dry ground. 2. Two hundred millions of square miles, Eight hundred million people here Questions.-1. What is Geography? 2. What is the Earth? 3. Of what is its surface composed? 4. How much of its surface is land, and how much water? NATURAL DIVISIONS OF LAND. 5. The land is divided into Continents, Islands, Peninsulas, Isthmuses, Capes, Promontories, Mountains, and Shores or Coasts. 6. A continent is a vast extent of land, nowhere entirely separated by water. 7. An island is a body of land entirely surrounded by water. *Or, "O! 'tis my delight of a shiny night." Or "O! swiftly glides the bonnie boat." TO TEACHERS AND LEARNERS.-You will perceive that verse of this measure, as well as most of the other kinds of verse in the Key, is capable of being adapted to a variety of airs, 8. A peninsula is a portion of land almost surrounded by water. 9. An isthmus is a neck of land which joins a peninsula to the main land, or connects two parts of a continent. 10. A cape is a point of land extending into a sea, ocean, or some other body of water. A high or rocky point of land, extending into the sea or ocean, is called a promontory or head land. 11. A mountain is a vast elevation of land. Several mountains connected together are called a range or chain of mountains. When the land rises to a small height, it is called a hill. Land lying between hills or mountains is called a valley. 12. A volcano is a mountain that sends forth flame, smoke, and lava or melted stones, from an opening at the top, called a crater. 13. A plain is a level tract of land. In North America plains are called Prairies; in South America, Pampas or Llanos; in Europe, Steppes; in Asia, Savannas. 14. A desert is a vast sandy plain, mostly destitute of water and vegetation. Some deserts contain a few green and fertile spots. These spots are called oases, and resemble islands in the ocean. 15. A shore or coast is the edge or margin of land bordering on the water. Questions.-5. How is the land divided? 6. What is a continent? 7. What is an island? 8. What is a peninsula? 9. What is an isthmus? 10. What is a cape? What is a promontory? 11. What is a mountain? What is a chain or range of mountains? What is a hill? What is a valley? 12. What is a volcano? 13. What is a plain? What are plains called in North America? In South America? In Europe? In Asia? 14. What is a desert? What do some deserts contain? What are these spots called, and what do they resemble? 15. What is a shore or coast? NATURAL DIVISIONS OF WATER. 16. The water is divided into Oceans, Seas, Archipelagoes, Guifs, Bays, Straits, Channels, Sounds, Lakes, and Rivers. 17. An ocean is a vast body of salt water. 18. A sea is a large body of salt water, smaller than an ocean, and mostly surrounded by land. 19. An archipelago is a sea interspersed with many islands. 20. A gulf or bay is a part of some larger body of water, extending into the land. 21. A strait is a narrow passage of water, separating two portions of land, and connecting two bodies of water. 22. A channel is a passage of water generally wider than a strait. 23. A sound is a passage of water so shallow that its depth may be measured with a lead and line. 24. A lake is a large body of fresh water mostly surrounded by land. Small lakes are called ponds. 25. A river is a large stream of fresh water, flowing from mountains or high land, into an ocean, sea, or some other body of water. Small streams are called brooks, creeks, and rivulets. The source of a river is the place where it rises. The mouth of a river is the place where it empties into an ocean, sea, or some other body of water. The right bank * Interspersed, scattered, or set here and there among other things. |