CIVIL AND POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY.
The principal Political Divisions, are Empires, Kingdoms, and Republics.
An Empire consists of several large countries, governed by one sovereign, called an emperor.
A Kingdom is generally of a lesser extent than an empire, and is governed by a king.
If the power of an emperor, or of a king, be limited by law, the government is called a limited monarchy; if there be no legal restraint to the will of the sovereign, it is called an absolute monarchy.
A Republic is a country, the government of which is confided to persons elected, by the people, for a limited term. A Republic is generally composed of a union of States.
States, Provinces, Counties, Cities, Towns, &c. are still smaller divisions of countries.
The principal Religions professed by the inhabitants of the earth, are the Jewish, Pagan, Mahometan, and Christian.
There are five principal races of men.
1. The Asian race are of a deep yellow or tawny color; have small eyes, prominent cheek bones, and an abundance of straight black hair.
2. The Malay race are of a deep brown color; have broad noses and mouths, projecting foreheads, and black curled hair.
3. The African or black race have thick lips, flat noses, and black woolly hair; the head is compressed on each side, the forehead very arched, and the chin drawn in.
4. The Native American race are of a copper color; have exceedingly high cheek bones, and straight black hair.
5. The European race (which includes the inhabitants of the United States and all descendants of Europeans in every part of the earth) is distinguished from the other by the regularity and symmetry of their features and by their complexion, which is white mingled with red; they have straight hair. In warm climates the European complexion takes a swarthy or brown color; but the original color, viz. white and red, always prevails in the complexion of the infants of this race in every climate. This race is supposed to have originated in the Caucasian countries in Western Asia, and is sometimes called the Caucasian race.
A VIEW OF THE FEATURES WHICH DISTINGUISH
THE FIVE PRINCIPAL RACES OF MEN.
