GEOGRAPHY (part 1)

Geography is to children a delightful study. We give some idea of
it at an early period in infant schools, by singing, "London is the
capital, the capital, the capital, London is the capital, the capital
of England," and other capitals in the same way; and also by pictures
of the costumes of the various people of the world. To teach the four
quarters of the globe, we tell children the different points of the
play-ground, and then send them to the eastern, western, northern, or
southern quarters, as we please. A weathercock should also be placed
at the top of the school, and every favourable day opportunities
should be seized by the teachers to give practical instructions upon
it.[A]

[Footnote A: If the lesson is on objects it will shew how children are
taught the points of the compass, with which we find they are very
much delighted, the best proof that can be given that it is not
injurious to the faculties.]

Sacred geography is of great importance, and children are much pleased
at finding out the spots visited by our Saviour, or the route of the
apostle Paul.

THE EARTH.

The earth, on which we all now live,
Is called a globe--its shape I'll give;
If in your pocket you've a ball,
You have it's shape,--but that's not all;
For land and water it contains,
And presently I'll give their names.
The quarters are called, Africa,
Europe, Asia, and America;
These contain straits, oceans, seas,
Continents, promontories,
Islands, rivers, gulfs, or bays,
Isthmusses, peninsulas,--
Each divides or separates
Nations, kingdoms, cities, states,--
Mountains, forests, hills, and dales,
Dreary deserts, rocks, and vales.

In forests, deserts, bills, and plains,
Where feet have never trod,
There still in mighty power, He reigns,
An ever-present God.


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