Geography Anatomiz'd Or The Compleat Geographical Grammar Being a Short and Exact ANALYSIS Of the whole Body of Modern Geography after a New and Curious Method COMPREHENDING I. A General View of the Terraqueous Globe Being a Compendious System of the true Fundamentals of Geography Digested into various Definitions Problems Theorems and Paradoxes With a Transient Survey of the whole Surface of the Earthly Ball as it consists of Land and Water II. A Particular View of the Terraqueous Globe Being a clear and pleasant Prospect of all remarkable Countries upon the Face of the whole Earth Shewing their Situation Extent Division Subdivision Cities Chief Towns Name Air Soil Commodities Rarities Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities Manners Language Government Arms Religion Collected from the best Authors and Illustrated with divers Maps The Second Edition much Improv'd and Enlarg'd By PAT GORDON M. A. And Fellow of the Royal Society Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci. Hor. LONDON Printed for Robert Morden and Thomas Cockerill at the Atlas in Cornhill and in Amen-Corner 1699. THE Geographical Grammar IMPRIMATUR Liber cui Titulus Geography Anatomiz'd c. John Hoskyns V. P. R. S. TO The Right Honourable THOMAS Lord Viscount Deerhurst Eldest Son and Heir Apparent of The Right Honourable THOMAS Earl of COVENTRY THIS New Edition of the following Tract of MODERN GEOGRAPHY is with the profoundest Respect Dedicated by Your Lordship's Most Humbly Devoted Servant PAT GORDON THE PREFACE MY principal Design in publishing the following Treatise is to present the younger Sort of our Nobility and Gentry with a Compendious Pleasant and Methodical Tract of MODERN GEOGRAPHY that most useful Science which highly deserves their Regard in a peculiar manner If it be alledg'd That the World is already overstockt with Composures of this Nature I freely grant the Charge but withal I 'll be bold to say That there 's none as yet publisht which is not palpably faulty in one or more of these three respects Either they are too Voluminous and thereby fright the Young Student from so much as ever attempting that Study Or Secondly too Compendious and thereby give him only a bare Superficial Knowledge of Things Or finally Confus'd being writ without any due Order or Method and so confound him before he is aware But all these are carefully avoided in the following Treatise for in framing of it I 've industriously endeavour'd to make it observe a just Mean between the two Extreams of a large Volume and a narrow Compend And as to the Method in which it now appears the same is I presume so Plain and Natural that I may safely refer the tryal thereof to the Impartial Judgment of the Severest Critick To descend to Particulars The whole consists now of Two Parts whereof the first gives a General and the second a Particular View of the Terraqueous Globe Part I. In giving a General View of the said Globe I 've perform'd these five Things viz. 1. I 've illustrated by way either of a Definition Description or Derivation all those Terms that are any ways necessary for the right understanding of the aforesaid Globle as also the Analytical Tables of the following Treatise 2. I 've set down all those pleasant Problems performable by the Terrestrial Globe together with the manner of their performance 3. I 've subjoin'd divers plain Geographical Theorems or self-evident Truths clearly deducible from the foregoing Problems 4. I 've advanc'd some Paradoxical Positions in Matters of Geography which mainly depend on a thorough Knowledge of the Globe and are equally certain with the aforesaid Theorems though many of them may possibly appear to some as the greatest of Fables Lastly I 've taken a Transient Survey of the whole Surface of the Terraqueous Globe as it consists of Land and Water as its sole constituent Parts This is the Substance of the first Part and before I proceed to the Second I must here desire the Reader may be pleas'd to observe these two Things viz. 1. That in defining the various Geographical Terms mention'd Sect. I. I have not strictly ty'd my self to the Logical Rules of a Definition for if the Term propos'd be only explain'd that is all required here 2. In advancing those Geographical Paradoxes mention'd Sect. iv which will probably so startle the Reader at first being a meer Novelty in Tracts of this kind as that he can't readily comprehend either their Meaning or Design let him therefore be pleas'd to know that the main Drift of such an uncommon Essay is in short To whet the Appetite of our Geographical Student for a compleat Understanding of the Globe upon a thorough Knowledge of which these seeming Mysteries do mainly depend or more briefly 't is to set our young Student a thinking Although the Soul of Man is a cogitating Being and its Thoughts so nimble as to surround the Universe it self in a trice yet so unthoughtful and strangely immur'd in Sense is the generality of Persons that they need some startling Noise like a sudden Clap of Thunder to rouse and awake them Now as a strange and unheard-off Phenomenon suddenly appearing in the Natural World doth attract the Eyes of all Men and raiseth a Curiosity in some to enquire into the Reason of it even so is the Proposal of a Paradoxical Truth to the Intellectual for it immediately summons all the Powers of the Soul together and sets the Understanding a-work to search into and Scan the Matter To awaken the Mind of Man to its Natural Act of Thought and Consideration may be justly reckon'd no trivial Business if we consider that 't is to the want thereof or a stupid Inconsideration that we may chiefly impute all the Enormities of Mankind whether in Judgment or Practice If therefore those Paradoxes above-mention'd shall obtain the End propos'd the rousing of the Mind to think it matters the less if some of them upon strict enquiry should be found to consist of Equivocal Terms or perhaps prove little more than a Quibble at the Bottom Proceed we now to Part II. Giving a Particular View of the Terraqueous Globe By such a View I understand a clear and exact Prospect of all remarkable Countries and their Inhabitants on the Face of the whole Earth and that in these following Particulars viz. Their Situation Extent Division Subdivision Chief Towns Name Air Soil Commodities Rarities Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities Manners Language Government Arms Religion What is said upon each of those Heads will best appear by the following Table Concerning Situation are briefly declar'd The Degr. of Long. between which any Country lies Latit Extent Its due Dimentions from E. to W. in English Miles S. to N. Division 2 Things viz. The general Parts or Classes to which any Country is reducible How those Parts or Classes are most readily found Subdivision 2 Things viz. The particular Provinces which any Country contains How those Provinces are most readily found Chief Towns 2 Things viz. The Modern Names
is to take charge of all the King's Revenue kept in the Exchequer as also to check all Officers imploi'd in collecting the same and such like This Office is frequently executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Treasury as at present 4. The Lord President of the Council whose Office is to attend upon the King and Summons the Council to propose business at Council-Table and Report the several Transactions of the Board 5. The Lord Privy-Seal whose Office is to pass all Charters and Grants of the King and Pardons sign'd by the King before they come to the Great Seal of England as also divers other Matters of smaller moment which do not pass the Great Seal But this Seal is never to be affixt to any Grant without good warrant under the King's Privy-Signet nor even with such Warrant if the thing granted be against Law or Custom until the King be first acquinted therewith 6. The Lord Great Chamberlain of England whose Office is to bring the King's Shirt Coif and Wearing Cloaths on the Coronation-day to put on the King's Apparel that Morning to carry at the Coronation the Coif Gloves and Linnen which are to be us'd by the King on that Occasion likeways the Sword and Scabard as also the Gold to be offer'd by the King together with the Robe Royal and Crown to Undress and Attire the King with his Royal Robes to serve the King that Day with Water for to wash his Hands before and after Dinner 7. The Lord High Constable of England an Officer whose Power is so great that 't was thought inconvenient to lodge the same in any Subject since the Year 1521. and is now conferr'd on some of the chiefest Peers pro re nata as upon occasion of Coronations or Solemn Tryals by Combat 8. The Earl Marshal of England whose Office is to take cognizance of all Matters of War and Arms to determine Contracts concerning Deeds of Arms out of the Realm upon Land and Matters touching Wars within the Realm which the Common Law cannot determine 9. The Lord High admiral of England whose Trust and Honour is so great that this Office hath been usually given either to some of the King 's younger Sons near Kinsmen or one of the chiefest Peers of the Realm To him is committed the Management of all Maritime Affairs the Government of the King's Navy a decisive Power in all Causes Maritime as well Civil as Criminal He also Commissionates Vice-Admirals Reer-Admirals Sea-Captains c. and enjoys a number of Priviledges too many here to be mention'd This Office is commonly executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Admiralty as at present After the Officers of the Crown we might here subjoin the various Courts of Judicatory establisht in this Kingdom especially the High Court of Parliament which is Supreme to all others and to whom all last Appeals are made I might here likeways mention all the Subordinate Courts of this Realm particularly that of the King's-Bâ—nch the Court of Common Pleas the High Court of Chancery the Exchequer and the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster c. as also the Ecclesiastical Courts in Subordination to the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Court of Arches the Court of Audience the Prerogative Court the Court of Faculties and that of Peculiars But to declare the Nature and Constitution the ample Privileges and manner of Procedure in each of them would far exceed the narrow Bounds of an Abstract I shall not therefore descend to particulars only adding to this Paragraph that besides these various Courts above-mention'd the King consulting the ease and welfare of the Subject Administers Justice by his Itinerate Judges and that in their yearly Circuits through the Kingdom and for the better governing of and keeping the King's Peace in particular Counties Hundreds Cities Burroughs and Villiages of this Realm Counties have their respective Lord Lieutenants Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace Hundreds their Bailiffs High-Constables and Petty-Constables Cities their Mayor Aldermen Sheriffs c. Burroughs and Towns incorporate have either a Mayor or two Bailiffs or a Portrive who in Power are the same with Mayor and Sheriffs and during their Offices are Justices of the Peace within their own Liberties And lastly Villiages are in Subjection to the Lord of the Mannor under whom is the Constable or Headborough to keep the Peace apprehend Offenders and bring them before the Justice Of such an admirable Constitution is the English Government that no Nation whatsoever can justly pretend to such a Model and no People in the World may live more happy if they please so that it may be justly affirm'd of them what the Poet saith in another Case only with change of Persons O fortunatos nimium sua si bona norint Anglicanos The Ensigns Imperial of the Monarch of Great Britain are in the first place Azure Three Flower-de-Luces Or the Royal Arms of France quartered with the Imperial Ensings of England which are Gules Three Lyons passant Gardant in Pale Or. In the second place within a double tressure Counter flowr'd de lys Or a Lyon Rampant Gules for the Royal Arms of Scotland In the third place Azure and Irish Harp Or string'd Argent for the Royal Ensigns of Ireland In the fourth place as in the first These Ensigns Armoral are quartered after a new manner since the late Revolution the English Arms being put before the French and the whole charg'd with an Escutcheon of the House of Nassau which is Azure Semi-billets a Lyon Rampant Or Languid and Armed Gules all within the Garter the chief Ensign of that most Noble Order above the same an Helmet answerable to King William's Sovereign Jurisdiction upon the same a rich Mantle of Cloath of Gold doubled Ermin adorn'd with an Imperial Crown and surmounted for a Crest by a Lyon passant Gardent Or Crowned as the former and an Unicorn Argent Gorged with a Crown thereto a Chain affixt passing between his Forelegs and reflex'd over his Back Or both standing upon a Compartment plac'd underneath and in the Table of that Compartment is express'd the King of England's Motto which is Dieu mon Droit but of late Jâ— Maintiendray The Inhabitants of this Country are for the most part of the true Reform'd Religion publickly profess'd and carefully taught in its choicest Purity In Reforming of which they were not so hurri'd by popular Fury and Faction as in other Nations but proceeded in a more Prudent Regular and Christian Method resolving to separate no farther from the Church of Rome than she had separated from the Truth embracing that excellent Advice of the Prophet Jer. 6. 16. Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein So that the Reform'd Church of England is a true Mean or middle Way betwixt those two Extreams of Supperstition and Phanaticism both equally to be avoided The Doctrine of
of Man THIS Island call'd Monoeda by Ptolomy and by Pliny Mondbia enjoys a very cold and sharp Air being expos'd on every side to the bleak piercing Winds from the Sea Its Soil oweth much of its Fertility to the Care and Industry of the Husbandman The Inhabitants a mixture of English Scots and Irish commonly call'd Mankâ—-men have in general a very good Character The ordinary sort of People retain much of the Irish in their Language and way of Living but those of better Rank strive to imitate the English In this they 're peculiarly happy that all litigious Proceedings are banish'd from among 'em all Differences being speedily determin'd by certain Judges call'd Deemsters and that without Writings or Fees If the Case be found very intricate then 't is referr'd to twelve Men whom they term the Keyes of the Island This Island with the Advowson of the Bishoprick belongs to the Earls of Derby who are commonly stil'd Lords of Man though Kings in effect they having all kind of Civil Power and Jurisdiction over the Inhabitants but still under the Fief and Sovereignty of the Crown of England §. 5. Anglesey THIS Island the celebrated Mona of the Romans and Ancient Seat of the Druides is bless'd with a very fruitful Soil producing most sorts of Grain especially Wheat in such abundance that the Welsh commonly term it Môn mam Gymry i. e. Môn the Nursery of Wales because that Principality is frequently suppli'd from thence in unseasonable Years 'T is commonly reckon'd as one of the Counties of North-Wales and acknowledgeth Subjection to the Crown of England §. 6. The Isle of Wight THIS Island term'd by Ptolomy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by the Romans Vecta Vectis or Victesis enjoys a pure healthful Air and is generally reckon'd a very pleasant and fruitful Spot of Ground 'T was once honour'd as the Isle of Man with the Title of Kingdom for Henry Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was Crown'd King of Wight by Henry VI. Anno 1445. but that Title died with himself about two Years after and 't is now reckon'd only a Part of Hampshire and is govern'd in like manner as other of the Lesser Islands §. 7. Jersey Garnsey and Alderney THESE Islands are all of William the Conqueror's Inheritance and Dukedom of Normandy that now remains in Possession of the English Crown Their Soil is sufficiently rich producing in great abundance both Corn and Fruits especially Apples of which they make plenty of Syder and the Air is so healthful to breath in that the Inhabitants have little or no use for Physicians among ' em They chiefly imploy themselves in Agriculture and Knitting of Stockings and during War with France they 're much given to Privateering It 's observable of Garnsey that no venomous Creature can live in it and that the Natives generally look younger by ten Years than they really are These Islands being annext to the English Crown Anno 1108. by Henry I have to their great Honour continued firm in their Allegiance to England ever since that time notwithstanding of several attempts made upon them by the French And so much for the Lesser Britannick Islands But if the Reader desires a larger Account of 'em let him consult the late Edition of Cambden's Britannia from page 1049 to 1116. inclusively Having thus particularly survey'd the Britannick Islands both Greater and Lesser proceed we now according to our propos'd Method to the Second Part of this Section which is to take a View of all other Islands belonging to Europe whether they lie on the North West or South of the main Continent Therefore II. Of all other European Islands European Islands being situated on the North of Europe West South On the North are the Scandinavian Islands West are The Isle of Ice-land The Britannick of which already The Azores South are those in the Mediterranean Sea Of which in their Order §. 1. The Scandinavian Islands Such Islands are those belonging to Sweden Denmark Norway To Sweden are chiefly those of Rugen Chief Town Bergen W to N. E. Bornholn Rottomby Oeland Borkholm Gothland Wishby Oesal Arnsberg Dago Dageroot Aland Castleholm Northward To Denmark are chiefly those of Zealand Chief Town Copenhagen Capital of all Funen Odensee W. to E. Langland Ruthkoping Laland Naxkow Falster Nykoping Mina Stegâ— Fâ—meren Borge S. W. of Laland Aisâ—n Sonderborg Funen To Norway are chiefly those of Carmen Lying W. of Sâ—avanger S. to N. Hiteren W. of Dronthem Sanien Adjacent to Wardhus Suroy Adjacent Of all these Islands Zealand is the most remarkable and that only for the City of Copenhagen as being the Seat Royal of the Kings of Denmark § 2. The Isle of Ice-land THIS Island taken by some for the much controverted Thule of the Ancients is term'd by the Italians Islanda by the Spaniards Tierra elada by the French Islande by the Germans Island and by the English Ice-land so call'd from the abundance of Ice wherewith 't is environed for the greatest part of the Year By reason of the frozen Ocean surrounding this Island and the great quantity of Snow wherewith 't is mostly cover'd the Air must of necessity be very sharp and piercing yet abundantly healthful to breath in especially to those who are accustomed with that cold Climate The opposite Place of the Globe to Ice-land is that part of the vast Antarctick Ocean lying between 180 and 190 Degrees of Longitude with 60 and 70 Degrees of South Latitude Considering only the Situation of Ice-land it lying in the 18th 19th 20th and 21st North Climate we may easily imagine the Soil is none of the best In some Parts where the Ground is level there are indeed several Meadows very good for Pasture but elsewhere the Island is encumbred either with vast Deserts barren Mountains or formidable Rocks So destitute of Grain is it that the poor Inhabitants grind and make Bread of dri'd Fish-bones In the Northern Parts they have the Sun for one Month without Setting and want him intirely another according as he approacheth the Two Tropicks From this cold and barren Island are yearly exported Fish Whale-Oyl Tallow Hides Brimstone and White Foxes Skins which the Natives barter with Strangers for Necessaries of Humane Life Notwithstanding this Island doâ—â— lie in so cold a Climate yet in it are divers hot and scalding Fountains with Hecla a terrible Valcano which though always covered with Snow up to the very Top doth frequently Vomit forth Fire and Sulphurous Matter in great abundance and that sometimes with such a terrible roaring that the loudest Claps of Thunder are hardly so formidable In the Western Parts of the Island is a Lake of a petrifying Nature and towards the middle another which commonly sends up such a pestilentious Vapour as frequently kills Birds that endeavour to fly over it Some also write of Lakes on the Tops of Mountains and those well-stor'd with Salmons In this Island are two Danish Bishopricks viz. those of Schalholt
Sorsaparilla Turmerick Snakes-Root c. What chiefly deserves the Epithet of Rare in Carolina is a certain Herb which goes by the Name of the Country and remarkable for its long red Root which draws upon Paper good red Lines but answers not in Dying Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Natives of this Country being naturally Men of good Courage and for a long time at Wars among themselves are mightily diminish'd in their Number by what they were But those remaining are generally Persons of a good agreeable Temper and maintain a firm Friendship with our Colony The English here residing are the same in Manners with those here in England The Natives have a particular Jargon of their own which sounds very harsh to the Ear and seems to Strangers extreamly hard if not impossible to be acquir'd The English use their own Language King Charles II. having granted Carolina by Letters-Patent in Propriety to George Duke of Albemarle Edward Earl of Clarendon c. by those Letters the Laws of England were to be always in force in this Country only the Lords Proprietors are impower'd together with the Consent of the Inhabitants to make or repeal such By-Laws as shall from time to time be thought expedient for the better governing of the whole Colony The English here residing are of many and different Perswasions in Matters of Religion there being a Liberty of Conscience allow'd by the very Constitution of their Government The Natives have as yet no reveal'd Knowledge of the True God but follow the vain Imaginations of their own Minds however they are said to acknowledge one Supreme Being whom they Worship under the Name of Okee and to him their Priests do frequently Sacrifice but they believe that he takes no care of Human Affairs committing them to lesser Deities They acknowledge also a Transmigration of Souls and a Future State of Happiness after this Life SCET. V. Concerning Terra Arctica UNDER the Title of Terra Arctica we comprehend all those Northern Countries lying either intirely or mostly within the Arctick Polar Circle The chief of which are these following viz. Greenland Nova Zembla New Denmark Spitsberge Terra de Jesso New North Wales Of these we know little more as yet than their bare Names I am very sensible That in treating of them yea and that individual Part of the Earth exactly under the North Pole some Writers are pleas'd to speak as particularly as if they were discoursing of the Fifty two Counties of England But leaving such Gentlemen to divert themselves with their own Chimera's and leaving these Countries to the better Discovery of Future Ages I pass on to the various Divisions of South America chusing rather to say nothing of the aforesaid unknown Countries than to relate things of them that are satisfactory neither to my self nor the Reader being willing to have due regard to that excellent Saying of the Roman Orator Quam bellum est velle confiteri potius nescire guod Nescias quam ista effutientem nauseare atque ipsum sibi displicere Cic. de Nat. Deor. Lib. 1. Now followeth SECT VI. Concerning Terra Firma  d. m. Situated between 297 30 of Long. It s greatest Length from E to W. is about 1260 Miles 330 00 between 03 20 of Latit Breadth from S. to N. is about 480 Miles 11 30 Being divided into East the River Orinoque call'd Guiana West the River Orinoque term'd Castello del Oro. East comprehands the Provinces of Caribana Chief Town Moreshego N. to S. Guiana Manboa West comprehends the Provinces of Panama or Terra Firma Panama From W. to E. Carthagena Idem St Martha Idem Rio de la hacha Idem Venezula Idem Andaluzia Comane Paria Maluregvara From E. to W. Granada St. Fe de Bagota Popayan St. Fe de Antiochia THIS Country discover'd by the Spaniards and Conquer'd Anno 15 14. is term'd by the Italians Terra Firma by the Spaniards Tierra Firma by the French Terre Ferme by the Germans Het vast Land and by the English Terra Firma so call'd by the Discoverers thereof as being one Part of the Firm Land or Main Continent at which the Spaniards first touch'd in their Western Discoveries The Air of this Country is extreamly hot yet generally accounted very wholesome save in the Northmost Parts adjacent to the Isthmus of Panama where the Ground is full of Lakes and Marishes which by their ascending Vapours do render the Air very gross and consequently less wholesome to breath in The opposite Place of the Globe to Terra Firma is that part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 107 and 150 Degrees of Longitude with 3 Degrees of North and 11 Degrees of Southern Latitude This Country lying mostly in the first North Climate is said to be blessed with an excellent Soil producing great plenty of Corn and Fruits where duly manur'd It mightily abounds in Venison Fish and Fowl A great part of it is planted with Cotton and others are very productive of Sugars and Tobacco Here are also very considerable Mines of Gold Silver Brass c. many precious Stones and in several places good fishing of Pearls The longest Day in the Northmost Part of this Country is 12 Hours ½ the shortest in the Southmost is 12 Hours or thereabouts and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Gold Silver and other Metals Balsam Rozin Gums Long Pepper Emeralds Saphires Jasper c. Upon the Coast of Terra Firma nigh Surinam is frequently seen and sometimes taken that Fish usually call'd by Mariners the Old Wife but otherways the Square Acarauna so term'd from his Figure being almost a compleat Quadratum 2. In several Parts of Guiana are certain Trees call'd Totock remarkable for their Fruit which is of so great a bulk and withal so hard that People can't with safety walk among 'em when the Fruit is ripe being in danger every moment to have their Brains knockt out 3. In one of the Branches of Orenoque River is such a hideous Cataract that the Water falling down makes as loud a Noise as if a thousand Bells were knock'd one against another Vid. Heylin's Cosmog last Edition page 1086. 4. On the top of a high Mountain call'd Cowob is a considerable Lake according to the Report of the Natives and that well-stockt with most sorts of Fishes 5 In some Rivers of Guiana is a certain little Fish about the bigness of a Smelt and remarkable for having four Eyes two on each side one above the other and in Swiming 't is observ'd to keep the uppermost two above and the other two under Water 6. In the Island of Trinidado near the Coast of Terra Firma is a remarkable Fountain of Pitch which boileth out of the Earth in great abundance and is exported thence to various places in these Parts of the World 7. Near C. Brea on the Continent is another Fountain of Pitchy Substance much us'd