5. Europe is divided into several nations, such as the English, French, Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Russians, and others. It has many fine cities, and about three hundred millions of inhabitants. 6. America has some large cities, and many pleasant towns and villages, but more than half of the country is uninhabited. The whole population is about forty millions. 7. Oceania, as I have before said, consists of many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Several of these, as Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and New Holland, are very large, the latter being the largest island on the globe. From some of these countries pepper, cloves, coffee, and other nice things, are obtained. The whole population of Oceania is about twenty millions. QUESTIONS. 1. What of Asia? 2. What are the principal nations of Asia ?- -3. Population of Asia ?-4. What of Africa? Population?- -5. What of Europe? Population?- -6. What of America? Population ?- -7. What of Oceania? In what direction are the Oceanic islands from London ? What things are obtained from Oceania? Population? Where are the Oceanic islands? CHAPTER V. INTRODUCTION continued. -About the different kinds of People in the World. 1. THUS you see that the whole number of the inhabitants upon the globe is about eight hundred millions. All these are descended from Adam and Eve, who, the Bible tells us, lived in the garden of Eden! 2. What an immense family to have proceeded from one pair! You may well believe that it has taken many years for the human family to increase to this extent. 3. If you were to travel in different countries, you would observe that the inhabitants differ very much in their colour, dress, and mode of living. 4. Some have dark skins, like the colour of a dead leaf, as the American Indians; some are of a yellowish or olive colour, like the Chinese; some of a deep, sooty brown, like the Hindoos; some black, like the negroes; and some are white, like the English and the people of the United States of America. 5. In some countries the people live in huts built of mud or sticks, and subsist by hunting with the bow and arrow. These are said to be in the savage state. The American Indians, some of the negroes of Africa, some of the inhabitants of Asia, and most of the Oceanians, are savages. 6. In some countries the people live in houses partly of stone and mud. They have few books, no churches or chapels, and worship idols. Such are most of the negroes of Africa, and many tribes in Asia. These are said to be in the barbarous state, and are often called barbarians. Many of their customs are very cruel. 7. In some countries the inhabitants live in tolerably good houses, and the rich have fine palaces. The people have many ingenious arts, but the schools are poor, and but a small portion are taught to read and write. The Chinese, the Hindoos, the Turks, and some other nations of Asia, with some of the inhabitants of Africa and Europe, are in this condition, which may be called a civilized state. 8. In most parts of Europe, and in the United States of America, the people live in good houses, they have good furniture, books, schools, churches, chapels, public buildings, bridges, steam-boats, and rail-roads. These are in the highest state of civilization. 9. Thus you observe that mankind may be divided into four classes; namely, those who are in the savage state, those who are in the barbarous state, those who are merely civilized, and those who are in the highest state of civilization. QUESTIONS. 1. What is the whole population of the globe ?2. Where did Adam and Eve live? -3. What would you observe in travelling through different countries ?- -5. What of people in the savage state? -6. What of people in the barbarous state? -7. What of people in the civilized state?- -8. What of people in the highest state of civilization ?- -9. Into what four classes may mankind be divided? CHAPTER VI. ASIA. About the Climate, Productions, Mountains, People, and Animals of Asia. 1. I HAVE already said that Asia is a vast country, containing many cities, and a multitude of inhabitants. It lies on the opposite side of Europe from us who live in Great Britain, and you may go to it by crossing Europe, or by sailing round the south end of Africa. 2. In the southern portion of Asia the climate is very warm. These parts are chiefly inhabited by the Chinese, Hindoos, Persians, Arabians, and Turks. In many places. the country is fertile, and in the valleys beautiful flowers, spicy shrubs, and fragrant trees are found. 3. Wild birds of the most brilliant colours are often seen in the forests. Peacocks, pheasants, and our domestic fowls, are natives of these sunny regions. Oranges grow wild in some parts, and many of our most splendid gardenflowers are to be found growing on the hills and in the valleys of Southern Asia. 4. In the centre of Asia, there are some mountains whose tops are covered with everlasting snow. These are the loftiest peaks in the world, and are nearly six miles in height. To the north of these is a cold region, where there are vast plains, with scattered tribes of Tartars roaming over them for the scanty pastures they afford for their camels and horses. 5. In these gloomy tracts, there are few towns or cities. The inhabitants are for the most part wanderers, who build no houses, but dwell in tents, and live upon the milk and flesh of their flocks. They also hunt the wild deer, antelopes, and other animals, that are found in these regions. 6. The native animals of Asia are many of them very remarkable. The elephant is found in the thickets, the rhinoceros along the banks of rivers, the lion in the plains, |