CLASS VI....LESSON II.

OF AFRICA.

2. GIVE me some account of Africa? A. This quarter of the earth is near 5000 miles long; and at its broadest part, about 4500 miles wide. It is divided from Asia by the Red sea, and Isthmus of Suez, and from Europe by the narrow straits of Gibraltar. This continent is broadest at about ten degrees north latitude, and from thence to the cape of Good Hope, narrows irregularly. The greatest part of Africa is in the hottest climates, being crossed by the equinoctial and the two tropics.

What countries are most remarkable in

Africa?

A. Egypt is the most celebrated on many accounts; but Africa is also very much celebrated in ancient history, on account of the commercial republic of Carthage, the rival of Rome: in mòdern history, as the seat of the piratical powers on the Mediterranean, and as the source of the disgraceful trade of slaves, carried on by European nations.

2. How is Africa divided?

The North Eastern, or course of the Nile.

The first of these divisions contains Egypt, or the mouths of the Nile.... Nubia, and Abyssinia, and the sources of the Nile.

2. What of Egypt?

A. This celebrated country is divided into Upper and Lower Egypt, and extends from the mouths of the Nile to the southward, about 700 miles, and embraces the country on both sides of the Nile, for an average of 200 miles. The Nile falls into the Mediterranean at several mouths, and the country owes its fertility to the overflowings of the river periodically.

2. How is it bounded?

A. By the Mediterranean on the north, the Red Sea east, the desarts of Barca on the west, and Nubia, Abyssinia, and Ethiopia on the south.

Egypt was in ancient times the seat of learning and philosophy, arts and refinement; and the stupendous monuments which remain in the cities of Upper Egypt, and the pyramids of Lower Egypt, testify to the perfection of the arts, and mechanical and architectural science.

Egypt was long the resort of the Grecians, as a fountain of science; but in successive ages it fell a prey to barbarism and superstition. It was conquered by the Macedonians, who built the city of Alexandria, which is still a very celebrated place. Cairo is the capital. It was invaded by the French in 1799, and conquered; and re-conquered by the British. Its history has been much illustrated by the French.

Besides Cairo and Alexandria there are Rosetta, Damietta, and Bulac, considerable places.

In Upper Egypt the country of Seid, in which are the stupendous remains of ancient cities, and numerous pyramids.

Nubia and Abyssinia have been visited by some modern travellers, but excepting the circumstance of greater civilization than on the western coasts, nothing peculiarly interesting has been discovered.

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2. What of Zanguebar?

A. It is the eastern coast of Africa on the Indian ocean, and comprehends from the south on the Mozambique, Mauruca, Magadoxa, Ajan, and Adel, which borders on Abyssinia; on the south Monomotapa joins Mauruca, next to which south is Caffraria. On the western coast is Negroland, which begins from the south with Mataman, Benguela, Angola, Loango, Benin, Guinea, &c.-These latter divisions are the countries from whence slaves are barbarously seduced and betrayed away for traffic.

The Desert or Zahara, is the interior of these countries.

1 2. What are the countries of the northern division of Africa?

A. On the Atlantic is Morocco, under an emperor who also rules Fez; both countries may extend 700 miles by 250; bounded west by the Atlantic, north by the straits of Gibraltar, east by Algiers, and on the south and south east by Belidulgerid or ancient Numidia and Taffilet.

The chief mountain is the celebrated Atlas, which extends from east to west the whole length of Barbary, and in which the rivers of the country rise. Those of Morocco are Malva, which is the boundary between Algiers, the Suz, Onrirabih, Laroche, &c. The capital is Mequinez in the country of Fez; but it has Salee, a port on the Atlantic, once noted as the nursery and asylum of pirates.

2. What is the country called Algiers?

A. It is composed of parts of the ancient countries called Mauritania and Numidia, sometimes called Massyli. It is bounded on the north by the Mediterranean opposite to Spain, and is about 500 miles long by 200 broad.