The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-09-10

YIN THE EFFECT OF THE PHYSICAL GEoGRA
PLY OF THE WORLD, ON THE BOUNDARIES
OF EMPIRES. BY JOHN FINCH, F. B. S., Sc
The limits of empires are controlled by
two causes, the physical geography of the
soil, and the power of man the first is
eternal, the last variable; thus in examin-
ing history, we find that the first produces
the most permanent effect.
Nations often war against those eternal
limits, which are pointed out by nature.
The Turks and Persians have, in modern
times, renewed the ancient contest between
the Romans and Parthians, and have fought
for several centuries, without gaining per-
manently one square mile of territory.
The ancient Grecians fought for a thou
sand years, and their small republics, at
the termination of the contest, retained
their original boundaries.
England and France have amused them
selves by wars, which may continue till the
end of time, without joining under one scep-
tire, the vineyards of Burgundy and the val
lies of England.
Alexander invaded the east, but he could
not enlarge the confines of Macedonia.
Bonaparte subdued Europe, but France
is not now more extensive than formerly.
Tamerlane overcame Asia, but it was not
in his power to unite the fire worshippers
of Persia with the sons of Confucius, nor
could he join under one Empire, the shep-
herds of Tartary and the agriculturists of
India.
When these phantoms of universal en-
pre- perish, nations resume their ancient
limits. Conquer them, exterminate them,
destroy the memory of their existence as a
people; still the new kingdom will have the
same limits as the old. A nation subduinp
those by which it is surrounded, resembles
river overlooking its banks the flood
gradually subsidies, and the stream returns
to its ancient channel. When successive
hordes of barbarians invaded the domin-
ion of imperial Rome, did they unite the
hvDvH sSSs~->~ az the North with tho olive
gardens of the South?
When England was conquered success
lively by the Romans, Saxons, Danes, and
Normans, did they surround with one ram
part, Italy, Saxony, Denmark, Normandy,
and England? The decisions of nature
soon cut asunder the artificial arrangements
of man.
The barriers erected between communi-
ties of men vary in strength let US exam
inc them in their order.
!. Forest. In the infancy of man, the
gloom of forest often deters him from en-
tering within its shade. The Hercynian
forest divided many of the ancient tribes of
Germany, and its influence is still percepti-
BILE in that country. The divisions of some
of the counties of England are derived from
the same source. Many tribes of Indians
in America are divided by thick woods. In
the progress of time, nations cut down the
woods, and this is one reason why civilized
nations have larger boundaries than those
which are savage.
2. RiUerS. In the first ages of man. riv-
ers are real boundary; they prevent the
passage of armies. They are now used as
boundary because they afford definite
line about which there can be no dispute
Europe, Asia, and America, afford numer-
Gus examples. A singular fact takes place
in regard to them a small stream is bet
ter division between nations than large
river. The Danube would not form line
of demarcation between Russia and Tur.
key, but that there is a sparse population or
its banks. France has fought to obtain the
boundary of the Rhine: she must either
advance to the mountains beyond, or retire
to the next range of hills in her present ter
ritory. The reason of this law is obvious
the fertile banks of large rivers are usually
inhabited by numerous tribes of men, the
calm and tranquil surface of the river invite.
them to cross over, the interests of commerce
keep up continual intercourse, the river il
easily passed, and both banks must be unit
ed under one government. Never have
the Gauges, the Nile, the Danube, or tn,
Rhine, seen hostile nations in possession o
the opposite shores.
The small stream which divides Spail
and Portugal is a more lasting 5oundar,
than the Tagus would be if it flowed in thu
same direction.
"Where Lusitania and her sister meet.
Deem We what bounds the rival realms divide
Or ere the jealous queens of nations meet,
Doth Tago interpose his mighty tide
Or dark Sierras rise in craggy pride
Or fence of art, like China's vastly wall
No barrier wall no river deep and wide
No horrid crags nor mountains dark and tall
Rise like the rocks that part Hispanas Ian
from Gaul."
But there between silver streamet glides,
And scarce name distinguished the brook
Though rival Kingdoms press its verdant sides
g. Seas and Oceans These form a de
cided boundary to the greater number q
nations; but the effect of dominion at Sc
will be noticed hereafter.
A. Mountains form permanent and FIRE
quent boundary. They vary in their powe
to restrain nations within proper limits &C
cording to their breadth and altitude, bu
on the whole surface of the earth, the
form real barrier. An individual ascend
mountain but returns to dwell in the val
ley. The peasant Of Hungary fears to as