By universal Geography, is understood that part of the science which considers the whole earth in general, and explains its properties without regard to particular countries. This division is again distinguished into three parts, absolute, relative, and comparative. The absolute part respects the body of the earth itself, its parts and peculiar properties; as its figure, magnitude, and motion; its lands, seas, and rivers, &c. The relative part accounts for the appearances and accidents that happen to it from celestial causes; and lastly, the comparative contains an explanation of those properties which arise from comparing different parts of the earth together.
Special or particular Geography is that division of the science which describes the constitution and situation of each single country by itself; and is twofold, viz. chorographical, which describes countries of a considerable extent; or topographical, which gives a view of some place, or small tract of land. Hence the object or subject of geography is the earth, especially its superficies and exterior parts.
The properties of Geography are of three kinds, viz. celestial, terrestrial, and human. The celestial properties are such as affect us by reason of the apparent motion of the sun and stars. These are 8 in number.
1. The elevation of the pole, or the distance of a place from the equator.
2. The obliquity of the diurnal motion of the stars above the horizon of the place.
3. The time of the longest and shortest day.
4. The climate and zone.
5. Heat, cold, and the seasons of the year; with rain, snow, wind, and other meteors.
6. The rising, appearance, and continuance of stars above the horizon.
7. The stars that pass through the zenith of a place.