evident from the sacred writings, upon a plan dictated by Infinite Wisdom, and carried into effect under the superintendance of God. We shall take the sons of Noah in the order in which they are mentioned by the inspired writer, although not placed by him according to their seniority. "Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah; Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and to them were sons born after the flood.” (Gen. x. 1.) The following tables will exhibit their families:

MIZRAIM.

Шелорен

JOKTAN.

Sheba.

Uz.

Ophir.

Hul.

Havilab

Jobab.

Gether
Mash

Uzal.
Diklah
Dikian
Obal.

Abimael.

The descendants of Shem peopled the greater part of Asia; those of Ham, Africa, with the south-west part of Asia, including Canaan, Chaldea, and Arabia; and those of Japheth, "the isles of the Gentiles," (Gen. x. 5.) that is, Europe. For the particular provinces occupied by the several families, we must refer our readers to the annexed map.

Sacred Geography.

THE following geographical grammar of places mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, has been carefully drawn up from Calmet, Wells, Heylyn, Dr. Whitby, Adams, Bishop Newton, Morier, Dr. E. D. Clarke, Sir R. K. Porter, Edinburgh Encyclopædia, Horne, Buckingham's Syria, &c.

A description of the countries mentioned in the scriptures, will comprise a considerable portion of the three quarters of the globe known to the ancients, viz. Asia, Europe, and Africa.

ASIA.

This is unquestionably the most interesting portion of our globe; having been the theatre upon which those important

events have been exhibited, which connect themselves so intimately with our best interests, and make such irresistible impressions on our mind and heart. It was in Asia that the Almighty planted the Garden of Eden, in which he gave being to the first human pair, from whom the race of mankind was to spring. It was Asia that became the nursery of the world after the universal deluge,-whence the descendants of Noah dispersed their various colonies into the other parts of the globe. It was here that Jehovah revealed his will to man, and placed his chosen people, the Israelites, " to whom were committed the oracles of God." Above all, it was in Asia that the Son of God was "manifest in the flesh," and accomplished the stupendous work of human redemption; and hence that light shone out which has irradiated the dark places of the earth, and caused the wilderness and solitary place to be glad, and the desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose. On these, and many other accounts, this quarter of the globe possesses an interest, and claims a superiority, over the rest.

The continent of Asia is situated between 27 and 190 degrees of east, or 170 of west longitude, and between the equator and 78 degrees of north latitude. Its length from west to east may be estimated at 7,000 miles, and its breadth, from the southern part of Malacca to the most northern cape of Asiatic Russia, at 5,250 miles. Asia is bounded by the frozen or Arctic ocean on the north; on the west it is separated from Africa by the Red Sea, and from Europe by the Levant or Mediterranean, the Archipelago, the Hellespont, the Sea of Marmora, the Black Sea, the Caucasian chain of mountains, the Uralian chain, and the river Oley, which falls into the Arctic or northern ocean. On the east, it is bounded by the Pacific, which separates it from America; and, on the south, by the Indian ocean; so that it is almost surrounded by the sea. The central regions of the Asiatic continent rise into a vast and highly elevated plain, extending some thousands of miles in every direction; and standing aloft like an immense table, supported on all sides by high and precipitous mountains, which overlook the surrounding countries. From this vast elevation the rivers of Asia flow as from

a common centre, in every direction, to all the surrounding seas; and the numerous kingdoms stretch themselves around in gradual descent. The climate of Asia admits of every variety from the scorching heats of the torrid zone to the piercing colds of the polar circle. In no part of Asia, however, is the climate so intolerably hot as in the tropical desert of the African continent.

The principal places in Asia mentioned in the scriptures are the following:

* In giving the length and breadth of the different countries we have taken

the utmost of each.

Name.-Assyria had its name from Ashur, the second son of Shem, and grandson of Noah. Offended, probably, with the tyrannic usurpation of Nimrod at Babel, he removed to the north-east, and took possession of this region, and thus laid the foundation of a vast empire. It was afterwards called Adiabene, and is now called Courdistan.

Boundaries.-The boundaries of this country it is difficult to assign. It appears to have been bounded on the north by Armenia; on the east by Media and Persia; on the south by Chaldea; and on the west by the river Tigris, or Hiddikel.

Face of the Country.-Whatever appearance the face of this country may have worn during the time that the Assyrian empire flourished, it is now greatly and beautifully diversified. Immense plains, lofty and almost inaccessible mountains, with numerous rivers and lakes, spread themselves over this region. In many parts the soil is very rich and fruitful, but in consequence of the despotic power exercised by the chiefs of the different tribes inhabiting the country-a power which renders all property insecure,-it is too generally suffered to lie uncultivated, and in many parts has the appearance of a desolate wilderness.

Rivers. The principal rivers of Assyria, besides the Tigris, or Hiddikel, which divided it from Babylonia and Mesopotamia, are, the Lycus, or Little Zab; the Capros, or Great Zab; and the Gorgus, or Golden River; all of which swell the Tigris with their tributary streams.

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Climate. From the situation of this country, the climate must evidently have been delightful in the utmost degree, and naturally salubrious to the human constitution. But the whole of Asiatic Turkey, in which it is situate, is often visited with the plague; a dreadful scourge to mankind wherever it takes place, but here