ancient geography, Gosselin, Rennell, Vincent, and Malte
Brun, are among the most celebrated names. Two Germans, Voss and Munnert,
have directed their labours to illustrate and explain the geographical
details and hints of the Greek poets. It would be almost endless to
enumerate those to whom modern geography, and the construction of modern
maps are principally indebted. Gaspari and Zimmerman, among the Germans,
have thrown into a philosophical and interesting form the labours and heavy
details which were supplied them by less original but more plodding men.
The English, though, as Malte Brun observes, they are still without a
system of geography which deserves the name, are rich in excellent
materials, which have been supplied by the extent of their dominions and
their commerce in various parts of the globe; by their laudable and happy
union of conquest, commerce, and science; and by the advantage which
Dalrymple, Arrowsmith, and other geographers have derived from these
circumstances. The French, Russians, Spaniards, Danes, and indeed most
nations of Europe, sensible of the vast importance of accurate maps,
especially such as relate to their respective territories, have contributed
to render them much more accurate than they formerly were; so that at
present there is scarcely any part of the globe, which has been visited by
sea or land, of-which we do not possess accurate maps; and no sooner has
the labour of any traveller filled up a void, or corrected an error, than
the map of the country which he has visited becomes more full and accurate.

The most direct and perfect application of mathematical and astronomical
science to the delineation of the surface of the globe, so as to ascertain
its exact form, and the exact extent of degrees of latitude in different
parts of it, has been made by the English and French; and much to their
honour, by them in conjunction. The first modern measurement of degrees of
latitude was made by an Englishman of the name of Norwood: he ascertained
the difference of latitude between London and York in 1635, and then
measured their distance: from these premises he calculated, that the length
of a degree was 122,399 English yards. At this time there was no reason to
suppose that the earth was flattened at the Poles. Shortly afterwards, it
having been discovered that the weights of bodies were less at the equator
than at Paris, Huygens and Cassini directed their attention, as we have
already s