GRAMMAR-SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY Physical, Political, and Commercial BY WILLIAM SWINTON = GOLD-MEDALIST FOR GEOGRAPHY, PARIS EXPOSITION, 1878, AND AUTHOR OF SWINTON'S GEOGRAPHICAL SERIES, WORD-BOOK 632343 Copyright, 1880, by IVISON. BLAKEMAN, TAYLOR & CO. D-F 9 PREFACE. TH seen HIS "Grammar-School Geography" is intended as the exposition of the geography of all the states will find their wish higher book of a two-book series, in which the author's met in the "Complete Course." It will thus be seen that the Introductory Geography" is designed to serve as the ele- two are independent books, differing in structure because educationists differ in taste. mentary manual. To this explanation of the relation of the present work to In the "Complete Course in Geography" (first published in 1875) a leading aim of the author was to realize what he the other works of the geographical series by the same author deemed a great desideratum in the treatment of the geography may now be added a few words as to the general plan of the of the United States. This want, and his own plan for filling it, he indicated in the following sentences in the Preface to the work just named : book. The "Grammar-School Geography" aims to strike a just balance between conflicting theories of geographical teaching, and to embody what is best in the modern methods. There "The need of a much more minute and detailed study of local geography than is possible with existing text-books is becoming deeply felt. The are those who regard Physical Geography as the all in all, and dozen or the score of vague, because generalized and colorless, lines usually those who regard Political Geography as the all in all. The devoted to great states like New York or Pennsylvania, Ohio or Illinois, are author has sought to avoid the one-sidedness of each. Physipoorly fitted to furnish a pupil with such equipment of geographical knowl-cal and so-called "Political" Geography are treated as inseparedge as is necessary either for practical use or ordinary intelligence. In the able, as one subject, and the two so blended that the physical present book an effort is made to meet the desideratum of fullness on each state, and at the same time to avoid the danger of overtasking the pupil by the device of a double text on the United States. There is in the case of each state, I. A general text, which comes first, and is printed in the larger type: this is to be studied by all classes. 2. A special geography of each state, which is designed for use only by classes in the state under review. It is hoped that the elastic arrangement of a general and a special text will meet all requirements." aspects and attributes of the globe and man's doings on its surface present themselves to the pupil's mind, not as isolated phenomena, but as a connected whole. For the study of the Physical Geography of the several grand divisions provision has been made in special maps, unencumbered by the names of countries or places, but presenting in clear view the natural features of the continent, its vegetable The plan received the emphatic approval of teachers, and products, its characteristic animals, and its mineral resources. this approval has resulted in the adoption of the "Complete The physical maps are further supplemented by relief views, Course" to an extent unsurpassed, if not unparalleled, in the which are of striking value in presenting to the eye the great history of geographical publication. It is, indeed, the very full-surface-features of the land masses. A series of systematic ness of acceptance accorded the theory of an enlarged text of questions and exercises faces each of the physical maps. The the states that has prompted the publication of the present Physical Geography, though necessarily brief, presents a conwork; for it soon became manifest that a still more liberal densed view of the contour, surface, drainage, vegetation, aniallowance of special state geography than even that given in mals, and resources of each of the grand divisions. It is freed the volume just named was called for by many teachers. In from needless technicalities, and fitted for easy comprehension order to supply this demand, the author has in this book adopted by pupils in the grades for which this book is designed. the plan of confining to a general treatment the text of the The Political Geography, or descriptive text of countries, several states, supplementing this in special editions by the follows the Physical Geography of the grand divisions. The detailed geography of individual states or sections. To those aim here has been to make a compact text, in which the major who prefer this arrangement the "Grammar-School Geography" factors of a nation's civilization — its resources, industries, and will commend itself, while teachers who desire a somewhat full commerce - shall be brought prominently to view; and, for iii the fuller treatment of these, space is gained by the omission, shipped from each, the steamer routes, submarine cables, and first, of all merely topographical matter (a knowledge of which international lines of telegraphic communication. Ample exeris gained from the study of the map), and, secondly, by the cises, topically arranged, accompany the map. In like manner, complete ignoring of the conventional jejune accounts of eth- the domestic and foreign commerce of the United States is nological characteristics, manners, customs, religions, etc. The illustrated by a map showing the areas of the great staples, and descriptive text is accompanied by political maps, the study of productive resources, the regions of corn, wheat, sugar, towhich is secured by full and varied exercises. Where the bacco, stock-raising, coal, iron, and other mineral deposits, the importance of particular countries demands it, special maps are lines of railroad that transport these articles to the seaboard, given. Thus, in the case of Europe, in addition to the general and the ports from which they are shipped. physical and political maps, special maps are added of Great Great care has been taken, in the construction of this work, Britain and Ireland, France and Switzerland, the German Em- to make it in the best sense a text-book. Among the features pire, Belgium and the Netherlands, Austro-Hungary, and the which it is hoped teachers will notice with satisfaction are the Turkish Empire. So, in the case of Africa, the general physi- following two: 1. The paragraphs are cast in a form convenient cal and political map is supplemented by a special map of Equatorial Africa, showing the latest results of discovery and exploration, thus giving us a chart well studded with names of peoples and cities, where, till lately, in the words of Swift, geographers "O'er unhabitable downs Place elephants for want of towns." both for memorizing and recitation. By introducing each paragraph with bold type, a suitable question spontaneously frames itself in the minds of pupil and teacher, thus obviating the old and inconvenient form of questions far removed from the text. 2. The method of study pursued by the best teachers being largely topical, ample provision has been made to further this plan, by numerous carefully constructed topical synopses, reviews, tables, and questions. The treatment of commercial and industrial geography is, A high standard of excellence in the artistic, cartographic, perhaps, the feature which most markedly distinguishes this and mechanical execution of geographical text-books has revolume from the old-style text-books. A knowledge of these cently been established. To this fact due regard has been had important but neglected subjects is secured, first by a careful by the publishers; and the merits of the "Grammar-School statement of the industries of each country and the kind of pro- Geography" in the particulars just named will be sufficiently ductions it sends into the channels of trade, and, secondly, by a evident to those who examine it. |
