Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-03-17
p 2 E. F a q

Pr E. F A e.
THE importance Of Geogra ply as fci.
ence, aud the exuberau, variety of know
ledge Rud amufement, which ii exhibits, are
themes tao trivial for argrmens or illuara-
ton Eagerly attached to this iudy from
his ssrly years, the su,hor always cherihed
a hope that he might contribute his labors
to its advancement. Far much remained TO
be done and many literary men have LAM
admitted, that great advantages might be
derived from a new and improved fyltem OF
Modern Geography the istet popular
works of this aature NOT ouiy Astounding
with numerous and grors miaskes, but De-
ing 60 imperfect IA their original plans, tina,
the chief geographical! ;opic9, have been Ca.
criiced to long de,sils OF hiaory, chroao-
losy, and commescd regulations, wholly
axtraneou5 20 the very nature of fuch de-
ign. Whcn to thi. IL ia added. that the
mot recent and important difcovcries :
either omitted, inperfe6iy iiIa!tra,ed, or 70
defe9ive'y arranged rs 70 embarrsfs aud hsf
Ge the refsarch Of the MAJ patien: enquir-
er, there 10 no reaion 70 be furprired at the
gene al confeEion, that fsch complain ms
are only ufed bscsaic there i: no better ex-
5ant.
The fucceGive difcoveriea in the Pacific
Ocean, sad other parts of the globe have,
within thsCe Jew Vears, acquired fuch a
certaisty and conGGeocy, that the NAV
now be admitted < arranged, 10 regular and
prschc difrihation " the habiiable work. I;
while the recent difcoyeriec Of La Peyouse
Vancouver, and othc' naviga,ore, nearly com
plete the exs& de.inea,;0n Of The continent
al flores No period Of time could be
more favorable - the appearance Of new
fyesm o. Geography, thaa the beginning Of
new century, after the e!apfe of he eli
teen;h, which will be memorable IN all AGES,
from tho gigantic progrsls Of every fcience,
sHd ia particular Of geographical iaforma-
ton nor leis from the furp iGng changes
which have taken place in moR countries
Of Europe, and which of themfelges render
Dew difcriPtion indifpeniable Whole
kingdoms have been annihi'sted; grand
PROVINCES sraoaferrej; and fuch general
alteration has taken place in Gates and bouo-
darieo, that geographical work publjhed
Ave years ago may DC pronounced to be al
ready aniiquated.
After general war Of the NOR eventful
dslcrip ION, after revolutions oF the mot
6ooiIhlrg nature, Europe at lcog,h repofes
in universal peace. The new d;sirions and
boundaries 80 longer h05tua,c with every
campaign, but are e8s5liioed by Colemo trea.
tie. which Fromife to De durable, az az no
former period has war appeared more fan
culinary OF dearu9ive, and 81 tbs fame time
more frui'iess even 20 the Sietors. Thele
treaties act only influence the descriptions
Of European countries, but Of macy in Aha,
4 frica sGd America.
A new fYfem OF Geography is ALTO fpe-
cially authorized and authenticated. by the
singular advantage o. fcyeral important
hooks of trsvelo having appeared within
these fe~ year,, which Introduce fsy more
iigh; and preciion into orr knowledge Of
many religions. The embsGies 20 China,
Tibet, and Ava, for example, present frefh
and authentic materials, without which re-
courfe mua have been had 70 more remote
and doubtfpl information aud the Biymsn
empire is unknown 90 al lyaems os geogra-
phy. The yefearches Of the Afa,ic Society
aad other late works, diaufe a new radiance
over I1indoR .. and the adjacent countries.
The labors Of the African Society, the ira.
velg Of Park, Brcs ne, aud Barrow, have
given more preciGon 20 our Imperfect know.
ledge Of Africa aud the jourBies Of Hesrre
aud Mackenzie nave contributed to d.iclOfe