THE publication of the Sixth Census of the United States, (1840,) has enabled the Author to complete the first periodical revision of his School Geography and Atlas, in conformity with the plan proposed in the preface of the former, and which will be repeated regularly hereafter, every successive period of five years. In the present revision, all the new facts developed by the late census, that are applicable to the subject, have been embodied in the Geography, together with such notices of recent public works, &c., throughout the Union, as a due attention to the progress of improvement rendered necessary, and the plan of the book permitted. The various political changes, also, that have occurred in foreign countries since the first publication of the book-such as the reunion of Upper and Lower Canada; the secession of the State of Yucatan from the Mexican Republic; the dissolution of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation; the retrocession of Syria to its former masters; the annexation of part of New Zealand to the British Empire, and other similar events, have all been carefully noted. In addition to which, such mistakes as have been detected by a close examination of both sections of the work, and which are more or less unavoidable in compilations of this kind, have been thoroughly corrected. Such emendations have been likewise made in the Statistics of various European and other States, as could be collected from a strict examination of the latest Geographical and Statistical works.

On the engraved plates of the Atlas, the population of the principal Cities and Towns in the United States has been accurately inserted, so far as the last census has furnished the means; also, all such Counties recently established in the various States and Territories of the Union, as were required to make the maps correspond with that important national document; together with all the requisite alterations, corresponding to the political changes noted above, that have taken place in different parts of the world. In the Geographical and Statistical Tables appended to the Atlas, such improvements have been made as will, with the addition of two new pages of American Statistics, render that part of the work much more valuable than before.

The numerous testimonials of approbation bestowed on, and the extensive patronage obtained for, Mitchell's School Geography and Atlas, in every section of the United States, are highly gratifying to the Author and Publishers, and prompt them to use such reasonable endeavours to improve each future revision, as to render the work at all times worthy of public favour, and satisfactory to their patrons.

Philadelphia, October 1st, 1842.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by S. Augustus Mitchell, in the clerk's office of the district court of the eastern district of Pennsylvania.

PREFACE.

AT no former period, has the science of Geography been considered of more importance, as a branch of elementary education, than at the present time; and its value and utility are so obvious as to require but little illustra tion. Perhaps no study is better calculated to awaken and cherish that spiri of curiosity and inquiry which is so natural to the youthful mind; and none. under proper regulation and tuition, affords a better prospect of leading to useful and important results.

Within the last twelve or fifteen years, the great attention paid to geogra phy in our principal schools and seminaries, has been the means of producing several meritorious works on this subject. They have each their respective peculiarities and excellencies; and are generally well calculated to aid the scholar in his progress towards acquiring a considerable knowledge of that interesting science. They ought not, however, to be regarded as superseding all further endeavours in this department of usefulness, or as discouraging any well intended efforts of others to do good in a similar way.

Geography is, more than any other science, in its nature constantly pro gressive; and hence, demands unceasing diligence on the part of those whose attention is directed to the publication of works connected with it. A considerable deficiency, in this respect, is observable in some of the most popular school geographies now in use in this country.

Several fail in representing various parts of the world, according to their actual subdivisions at the present day. Even the divisions of our own country are not accurately laid down; and, in the exhibition of the South American States, there is a general deficiency. Australia, or New Holland, though divided by the British government, a number of years ago, into two great sections, is neither described nor represented in that way in any school geography extant.

Important misstatements have been also observed in some of the works alluded to, which have doubtless escaped the observation of their authors. and, though they do not essentially detract from the merits of their respective works, must still be regarded as material blemishes. In one work, (edition of 1838,) it is asserted, that the western part of the State of Tennessee is inhabited by the Chickasaw Indians-that wild horses and buffaloes abound in Arkansas-that the greatest part of the State of Alabama is inhabited by the Choctaw, Cherokee, and Creek Indians; and that the interior of Newfoundland is inhabited by the Red Indians. All these statements were true, a num ber of years ago; but are not so at the present day.

The Mississippi Valley, or the country extending from the Rocky to the Alleghany Mountains, is described, in the same work, as being more than 3,000 miles wide. Yet the whole continent, from ocean to ocean, measured across the centre of the valley in question, is only 2,600 miles in extent.

The Boa Constrictor is enumerated as one of the animals found in Africa. It is stated, that the largest are about 80 feet long; and besides deer, dogs, and bullocks, even horses with their riders are said to be destroyed by this enormous serpent; both expiring together in the same fatal fold of the monster! This is a mere popular fallacy, unsupported by any authentic testimony; and certainly ought not to be inserted in A WORK ON ELEMENTARY EDUCATION. In another work, the population of the Ionian Islands is stated to be 800,000. while, in fact, it is less than one-fourth of that amount. Another school geography describes the island of Teneriffe as one of the Cape Verd islands; while, in fact, it is one of the Canaries. Nor are the atlases less erroneous

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than the descriptive geography has been shown to be. The maps of South America, in two of them, represent the river Amazon as flowing from Lake Titicaca: this is a positive error; it being well known that the head waters of the Amazon river are entirely separated from the lake above-mentioned, by ranges of the highest mountains in South America.

The population of the cities and towns, in several maps, is assumed, in some cases, as double, and in others, only one-half the amount stated by the most authentic writers: some places, of which we know nothing certain, and others whose very existence is problematical, are exhibited as containing a definite number of inhabitants.

A very great disproportion is likewise observed in the lengths of the courses given to many of the rivers;-some stated as 500 or 600 miles long, are represented as absolutely shorter than others of 300 or 400 miles in their immeliate proximity.

The above-mentioned errors and misstatements, although among the most prominent that have been detected, form but a tithe of what really exist in the very popular works in which they have been found.

In this exposition, the author trusts he is not actuated by an invidious or malignant spirit; for, while he exhibits freely the incorrectness of some works, e willingly bears testimony to the general accuracy and excellence of others. He believes that he has gone far to establish his position, that a want of atention is observable in the compilation of some of the most popular school geographies extant, and that improvements may still be made in works of this kind. He does not by any means expect to escape errors himself; but hopes, by a close attention to the revision of his work, as it comes from the press, to Avoid any so far removed from the truth as those above stated.

Essential errors or misstatements, in works on elementary education, can hardly be compensated by any excellencies they may possess; and, when it s considered that the ideas impressed on the mind of youth, in the study and perusal of these works, will undoubtedly, in numerous instances, be retained in after-life, the importance of accurate statements becomes apparent.

The introduction of a great variety of books into schools, in the same department of knowledge, by rendering the information uncertain, the expense greater, and the progress less rapid, is an evil of which many have complained. To obviate this, the author has resolved to give his work a periodical revi sion, commencing with the next census of the United States; which will be repeated, and continued regularly once in five years thereafter, for the purpose of embodying all the facts that the most recent discoveries or political changes may develope, and all well-settled improvements in teaching.

The present form of the work will be preserved as nearly as possible; so that its improvement shall afford no impediment to the progress of the pupil. The author has endeavoured, as far as the limits prescribed for his work would permit, to describe the various political divisions of the earth, according to the views exhibited in the latest and most authentic works on the subject. The maps, comprising the atlas, are all from original drawings, and are especially adapted to the work. They are carefully engraved, in a neat and distinct manner. Those illustrating Palestine and Liberia are not usually found in atlases of this kind; and, from the interesting associations connected with the countries they represent, will, no doubt, be found useful. The map of Oceanica is compiled with direct reference to the important religious and moral changes which have taken place in the principal islands of that interesting region within the last twenty years. This map has not been introduced into any school atlas extant in accordance with those remarkable circum

stances.

The pictorial illustrations are chiefly from original drawings, and are engraved by the best artists in the country. Many of these embrace a number

of leading objects in nature and art, and others elucidate important facts stated in the body of the work. A few, it will be perceived, are of a national character: these illustrate some of the most important incidents in the history of our country, and will associate, in the mind of the pupil, in a striking and impressive manner, with the characteristic features of the states to which they are attached.

Teachers will observe that the work throughout is divided into short sections, such as are considered sufficient for one lesson, which are marked for the purpose of saving the teacher the trouble of designating them. They are gradually enlarged during the progress of the work, so as to correspond with the increased capacity of the pupil.

Those who may conceive a single section insufficient for a lesson, may give two or more at once. The plan has been adopted at the suggestion of several experienced teachers, and wili no doubt be found useful.

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Nearly all the maps belonging to the atlas have scales of miles attached to them, by the aid of which, with a pair of compasses, or the edge of a slip paper, the learner may measure the length and breadth of countries, islands, seas, guifs, &c. This will give variety to the exercises, and impress on the mind of the pupil in a more decided manner than by any other method, many valuable particulars that, if inserted in the geography, would increase its dimensions much beyond its prescribed limits.

Considerable care has been bestowed on the construction and execution of the Atlas. The geographical features of the maps have been obtained from the latest authorities, and those who are critically acquainted with modern maps, will perceive many new items of information elucidating important facts not to be found in any other school geography extant.

The engraving has been executed by the best artists in that line in the country, who have used every endeavour to render the lettering clear, distinct, and easily understood, a matter of some moment to the pupil, who is frequently much perplexed in ascertaining the names of places, when inserted among the dark and obscure shading so common in the maps of many school geographies.

The characters designating the location of some of the most important events connected with the history of our country, are new in works of this kind; and with the annexed dates, will render the maps useful to those pupils studying the history of the United States.

The distances from the countries on one continent to those on others, in the same parallels of latitude, are interesting as pointing out the width of the oceans, seas, &c., that separate the chief divisions of the earth.

The population of cities and towns, the length of rivers, the heights and extent of mountains, &c., are all derived from the most authentic sources; and the plan adopted to illustrate these various particulars, is probably as simple and easily understood as can well be devised.

The author has omitted to mention the number of the counties into which the several states, &c., are divided, or asking the learner that question; as the number, particularly in the Southern and Western States, is continually increasing. In a very popular school geography, (edition of 1838,) the counties in Mississippi are stated as amounting to 26, Alabama 36, Georgia 76, and Arkansas 30; while in the Map of the Southern States accompanying this work, the numbers are respectively 56, 48, 90, and 35,-thus making an increase ot 61 counties in four states only.

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHY is a description of the world, with its inhabitants and productions. It is not only an entertaining and curious, but highly useful study. It opens and enlarges the mind; gives a true knowledge of the various situations of countries, with their rivers, mountains, &c. ; and is of such importance in history, that without it, nothing can be understood with either satisfaction or correctness.

It must have attracted the attention of mankind at a very early period. The desire to become acquainted with the country they lived in, and to determine and establish its boundaries, would naturally direct their attention to it.

The study of Geography will enable young persons, when they hear of distant countries, to tell where they are situated-what are their productions-how they are governed, and what kind of people live there. To know these things is very important, and will give all who are acquainted with them an advantage over those who possess not such knowledge: it will be a satisfaction to themselves and to their parents; and will be a proof that they have attended well to their studies.

TO THE PUPIL.

The engraving on the opposite page is a picture of one side of our earth, as it would appear if seen from a great distance. It rolls like an immense ball through the heavens, surrounded on every side by the planets and the countless myriads of stars, all performing their stated motions under the guidance of the great Creator who first called them into existence.

Men live on, and are constantly walking about, this great ball, the earth. Cities and towns are built on it; trees and plants grow on it; and ships sail on the sea: yet the earth is all the time turning round and round, as if you rolled a ball or an apple on the floor, or threw it from you into the air. All this is true; but it is hard to understand. It is done by the power of God, who made us, and all things on the earth, with the sun, the moon, and the vast multitude of stars we see in the sky. "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth; the heavens, and all the host of them." Gen. I. II.