Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-05-05
Ancient Geography.

Ancient Geography.
Columbus, sailing to America, thought hi
was discovering passage to China, or Catbay
Even after it became known that new con
tinent had been discovered, instead of an ole
one revisited, geographers labored under many
very curious and erroneous impressions. Amer
lea, beyond its sea coast was shrouded in mys
terry, and what lay beyond men could only
conjecture.
1t was thought that a great southern cont
nent lay just off cape Horn, and adventurou.
mariners for centuries kept up the pursuit of il
until, at last, they ran against the icy boundary
at the south pole. The French missionaries Of
Canada, who first explored the Mississippi
thought it empted into the gulf of California
and dreamed of reaching China upon its waters
This fact is perpetuated by the name of La
Chine, given to locality near the city of Mon
treal, from which point the good fathers were to
start.
The celebrated German traveller, Kohl, in a
paper recently read by him, before the New
York geographical and statistical society, called
attention to many of these curious blunders, as
laid down on the early maps.
America was at first presented as great
peninsula Of Asia, mixed up and joined with
Japan, China, &c. Maps were shown in which
China is in the closest neighborhood to Mexico,
on which the great Rio Colorado of California
takes its source in Siberia, and where the Tar
tars and horses and camels are represented
about the Rocky mountains Chinese was
also shown with his yellow shoes and trowsers,
and pointed bonnet, standing upright in the
midst Of the Appalachian mountains, and not
far from him the portrait of an elephant. This
lot font ,ro not for for
tainly "the elephant" has been extensively
seen in this country.
But by degrees, as geographical knowledge
improved, America was disjointed from Asia,
Japan kept on the march to the west, and the
Tartars, Chinese and elephants were dismissed
to their several homes.
1t is a curious fact that on maps of the world
made before the discovery of America, a fabu-
lous island called Antila is put down, in which
may be seen the first dawn of America itself
On some old maps bridge across Behring's
straits, is laid down, upon which is written
cover this bridge the ten lost tribes marched
from Asia to America"
The Arab geopraphers styled the Atlantic
ocean the "water of darkness" From this
darkness how much light has been evolved in
the course Of a few centuries!
The SIX GREAT NATIONS OF EURoPE.-The Bee
publishes letter from a gentleman now in st.
Petersburg to friend in New Orleans, detailing a
which he had with the late car of
Russia. The Bee vouches for the authenticity of
the letter. In speaking of the state Of affairs in
Europe, the car said to the writer:
England has reached her eliminating point
either for life or death. There is no middle path
for her to pursue. One thing alone may save her,
and that lisa free confession not only by the govern
ment, but by the whole aristocracy made to the
people, that they have been absurd from first to
last, that the crown is unable any longer to main
tain its power, and that the people must rise and
unite together as one man, to save the honor and
preserve the independence of the country.
A candid acknowledgement of the truth may
even save England, if her corrupted aristocracy
can be brought to the stool of confession. France,
On the contrary, can maintain herself only by false
hood and deception. The emperor may proclaim
to his subjects that he governs OR influences the
affairs of all Europe, that not shot can be fred
without his permission, and that France is the first
power in Europe, but single shock, one speech of
/ demagogue may overthrow him and darken the
star of Napoleon forever. have offered him my
land, the hand of reconciliation but he has re-
used it. He wishes to avenge Moscow upon me,
md Helena upon England. Shortsighted man,
who seeks to avenge the sins of the fathers upon
heir children! As for Germany, Austria and
Prussia, which would not now exist, if I had not
'ayed them, when they crouched at my feet six
7ears ago, they think to strengthen themselves
the mighty struggle between the other nations Of
Europe.
But they never have been and never will be
more than secondary powers, satraps holding au-
hority by the clemency of my house, or by per-
mission Of the western powers Yet one consola-
ion is left to in the midst of all this ingratitude
md villany, and that is the silent sympathy of that
,igh-hearted people on the other side of the At
antic the only hearts in which hear an echo of
ny struggles agans united Europe. Never have
orgotten the smallest kindness shown to me by the
east Of my subjects, let my children never forget
what we owe to America, and if ever an hour of
langer darken around the Union, let her find a
aithful ally in my family.
"SAM" AND SLAvERY.-The following from
The Chicago Journal of the 18th inst, rabid
Freesoil paper, is an effectual answer to the
'enseless charge of Abolitionism made against
he American party: ...
ssThe N. Y. Tribune very pithily remarks
hat though the Know Nothings are secret
organization, their af6nities for the peculiar in
,titution of the South are fast becoming no
secret at all. a- a--.
Itisthe rope to which the slave propagandists
IRE clutching, and with its help, they hope to
ave themselves from sinking"
The Louisville Journal, fully in the conf
lence Of "Sam," says:
We have been informed, on what we regard
IS wholly unquestionable authority, that
National Council of the American Know Nothing
,arty was held few days ago in the city Of
New York; that it consisted of numerous dele
yates from all parts Of the Union; that motion
vas made by one Of its members to engraft
sreesoilism upon the party creed; and that the
esolution cas uoted dozen unanimously. We do
Tot know that the American party will fully
ucceed in Matchmaking itself in regard to the
Slavery question, but we believe that it is
making sincere and earnest effort to do so in
lespite of the exertions Of some influential men
n its organization; and we hope, trust and
,elieve that it will be successful.
That "a sincere and earnest effort is making"