DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1004#0212
170 ASTRONOMY AND GEOGRAPHY.
envy the privilege which is conceded to the topographer of the heavens, who
is permitted to group the objects of his science into certain forms and
combinations, thus increasing the facility with which his speculations are
comprehended by those to whom they are presented, and enduing the
objects themselves with the qualities of a living and social existence.
But to earthly topography such license is rarely and reluctantly allowed.
In geography, properly so called, are no constellations. Each object is con-
templated individually and in detail. This circumstance is partly a mis-
fortune, arising from the nature of the subject itself, and partly a defect
proceeding from the traditional practice of Geographers, who are wont to
look rather at the natural and artificial features of the object immediately
before their eyes, than to regard the relations which may subsist between it
and others united with it by physical and local connexion.
We are inclined, however, to suppose, that without being guilty of any
violation of the laws of strict and literal accuracy, and without running the
risk of degrading the particular objects described, either in importance or
in interest, the Geographer may safely claim to himself more liberty in this
respect than he has usually enjoyed.
We confess, that we not only envy the Astronomer the possession of his
Orion, his Lyra, his Pleiads, and his Bootes ; but we are inclined to demand
for ourselves, in fit proportion, and with due deference to his sublimer occu-
pation, a share in that privilege which allows him to associate the particular
objects of his science in such animate or inanimate combinations.
This remark has been suggested by a consideration of the form presented
by the five different cities of which we have spoken, when contemplated both
with respect to each other, and to the principal features of nature with which
they are placed in immediate juxtaposition.
Situated, as they are, in a semicircular curve, at equal distances from each
other, and mounted on the crests of a range of hills which slope down into
the plain between them and the Copaic Lake, they suggest the name of a
natural Theatke, as the most appropriate designation by which they may
be described. The semicircular line which connects these cities together,
may be regarded, in technical language, as its Precinction, or semizone:
the sloping lines which descend from the heights on which they are, into the
level area between them and the lake, form the Cavea, or shell of this
Theatre; the roads which lead in the same direction from their summits, and
envy the privilege which is conceded to the topographer of the heavens, who
is permitted to group the objects of his science into certain forms and
combinations, thus increasing the facility with which his speculations are
comprehended by those to whom they are presented, and enduing the
objects themselves with the qualities of a living and social existence.
But to earthly topography such license is rarely and reluctantly allowed.
In geography, properly so called, are no constellations. Each object is con-
templated individually and in detail. This circumstance is partly a mis-
fortune, arising from the nature of the subject itself, and partly a defect
proceeding from the traditional practice of Geographers, who are wont to
look rather at the natural and artificial features of the object immediately
before their eyes, than to regard the relations which may subsist between it
and others united with it by physical and local connexion.
We are inclined, however, to suppose, that without being guilty of any
violation of the laws of strict and literal accuracy, and without running the
risk of degrading the particular objects described, either in importance or
in interest, the Geographer may safely claim to himself more liberty in this
respect than he has usually enjoyed.
We confess, that we not only envy the Astronomer the possession of his
Orion, his Lyra, his Pleiads, and his Bootes ; but we are inclined to demand
for ourselves, in fit proportion, and with due deference to his sublimer occu-
pation, a share in that privilege which allows him to associate the particular
objects of his science in such animate or inanimate combinations.
This remark has been suggested by a consideration of the form presented
by the five different cities of which we have spoken, when contemplated both
with respect to each other, and to the principal features of nature with which
they are placed in immediate juxtaposition.
Situated, as they are, in a semicircular curve, at equal distances from each
other, and mounted on the crests of a range of hills which slope down into
the plain between them and the Copaic Lake, they suggest the name of a
natural Theatke, as the most appropriate designation by which they may
be described. The semicircular line which connects these cities together,
may be regarded, in technical language, as its Precinction, or semizone:
the sloping lines which descend from the heights on which they are, into the
level area between them and the lake, form the Cavea, or shell of this
Theatre; the roads which lead in the same direction from their summits, and