| Counties. | Chief Towns. |
|---|---|
| Anglesea | Beaumaris |
| Caernarvonshire | Caernarvon |
| Denbighshire | Denbigh |
| Flintshire | St. Asaph |
| Merionethshire | Harlech |
| Montgomeryshire | Montgomery |
6 IN SOUTH WALES.
| Cardiganshire | Cardigan |
| Radnorshire | Radnor |
| Pembrokeshire | Pembroke |
| Caermarthenshire | Caermarthen |
| Brecknockshire | Brecknock |
| Glamorganshire | Cardiff. |
You will learn these counties, my dear, and trace them on the map at your first leisure opportunity. We have been so long in Europe, that I fear I must give you a very short description of the other parts of the world.
Asia is rendered famous on account of its having been the residence of our first parents, and the scene of almost every transaction mentioned in the scriptures: here our Saviour was born, lived and died; and from hence the gospel was first promulgated to mankind. Its inhabitants, though formerly celebrated for their refinement, are now, in general, a lazy, ignorant people. China is celebrated for its productions of silk and tea, which is a plant almost peculiar to this country, and the beautiful manufacture of porcelain called China. In the southern part of Asia the East Indies are situated, and in the West Arabia. The chief rivers are the Euphrates, Tigris, Indus and Ganges. The principal mountains are, Azarat, Horeb, Sinai and Lebanon. The most remarkable Islands are, the Japan isles, the Maiana or Ladrone Islands, Formoso, Philippines, Moluccas, Banda islands, Celebes or Macassar, the Sunda islands, Ceylon, Maldives and Jesso isles.
Anne. Thank you, mamma, now for Africa.
Mrs. Harley. Africa, my dear, though once so highly renowned for the learning and politeness of its natives is now nearly barbarous. In Africa, near the northern coast, was situated the once famous city of Carthage, founded by Queen Dido, and the native country of a famous general named Hannibal, whose history you will hereafter read. Egypt so famous for the Nile (an immense river) lies in this part of the world, and here the arts and sciences were formerly highly cultivated. The chief rivers are, the Nile, Niger, Gambia, and Senegal. The mountains are, Mount Atlas in the north, and the Peak of Teneriffe one of the Canary isles. The principal African Islands are, the Azores, the Madeiras, Canaries, Cape Verde isles, and St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean; Madagascar, Mauritius, Bourbon, Comora isles, and Socotora in the Indian Ocean.
America, the largest division of the globe, was discovered in the year 1492 by Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa in Italy; though it derives its name (not quite justly I think) from Americus Vesputius, who extended the discoveries of Columbus. America is divided into north and south, and these two peninsulas are joined by the Isthmus of Darien. The mountains here are much higher and the rivers much larger than those in the other parts of the world. The Andes, a ridge of mountains in South America, are considered the highest in the world; their tops are covered with perpetual snow, notwithstanding the excessive heat of the climate in which they are situated. In North America are the Appalachian or Allegany mountains. The principal rivers are, in the southern peninsula, the river Amazon, the Oronoko, the Rio de la Plata, and the river Janeiro: in the north, St. Lawrence, Delaware, and Susquehana.
Great part of North America formerly belonged to Great Britain, but some disputes arising between the mother country (England) and the colonies, a war ensued, which was, at length, terminated in favour of the Americans, and in 1783 they were declared a free, sovereign, and independent nation. This part of America is now distinguished by the appellation of "the United States." General Washington, of whom you have frequently heard me speak, was an American.
I must now finish my lecture on geography, which, though very imperfect, has yet exceeded the usual limits of our lessons; many interesting circumstances relating to the various countries I have mentioned, have been entirely omitted, as I was fearful that by telling you too much on the subject I should prevent you from remembering any of the particulars so necessary for you to retain.