exercised a most important influence over the political history of Asia.

The Beloor Tag mountains form the boundary between the two kingdoms of Bocharia.

The Bezeka range separates Mongolia from Independent Tartary.

The valleys of Arracan are separated from the empire of Burmah by a small mountain range.

The mountains of Aiagha, the ancient Zagrus, situated to the west of the salt lake of Ourmia, divide the dominions of Persia from Asiatic Turkey.

The strength of a country, or its capability of defence, exercises great influence over the limits of nations. In this view we may notice those mountains occurring in the interior of countries, which form natural fortresses, or which are capable of being regularly garrisoned.

The stern defence maintained by the people of Scotland against the invasions of the English, may be chiefly attributed to the power of their mountain fortresses.

Ireland was conquered with rapidity, because the people, though equally brave, had no natural protection, except marshes and morasses. Once in every century the armies of France

pass the barrier of the Italian Alps, conquer Piedmont and Savoy, and declare them irrevocably united to the French empire, but the mountaineers soon achieve their independence. The standard of France does not seem to flourish, when it is planted in the valleys of Italy. The expeditions of Brennus, of Charlemagne, of Francis, of Louis, of Charles, and of Napoleon, into that country, have always, in the first instance, been attended with success, but they have ultimately terminated in defeat.

Where mountains are grouped together, with intervening valleys that are susceptible of cultivation, a different rule obtains as to their boundary; it will then be found not at the summit of the first chain, nor at its base, but extending into the surrounding country in every direction. The natives of these districts resemble the garrison of a fortress, who not only command the fortifications and the interior town, but also the resources of the country, to a distance of several miles. Thus the mountaineers of Switzerland are not content with the rugged summits, and the picturesque valleys of the Alps, but have conquered and retain in subjection, Neufchatel, La Pays de Valais, and the city and territory of Geneva.

The mountaineers of Caucasus compel the payment of tribute from their neighbours. The towns in their vicinity are fortified with gates of iron; but they knock so loud that they frighten the good citizens into perfect submission.

No individual could formerly reside within twenty miles of the mountains of Scotland, unless he would submit to contribution. The demand of the king at Holyrood might be evaded, but the kings of the Highlands it was impossible to

escape.

The inhabitants of Biscay have preserved their independence during a period of more than a thousand years. They have no king, but allow the sovereign of Spain to add to his titles that of Lord of Biscay; he is compelled to swear to preserve their privileges under the oak of Guernica, and they raise their own taxes, and decide upon the number of men they will send to the general defence of the kingdom.

The Circassian has from time immemorial defended his national freedom against every invader, though surrounded by the powerful empires of Tartary, Persia, Turkey, and Russia. While the other Asiatic nations have been continually overrun by foreign conquerors, he has remained free.

The small principality of Wales, under her brave native princes, defended her national independence for several centuries against the superior power of England.

Where a mountain is isolated, and does not form part of an extensive chain, especially if surrounded by a large extent of level country, it does not separate different states of opinion, but rather forms a bond of union to people in the vicinity. Parties of pleasure are formed, they climb the summit of the mountain, they feast, dance, sing, and rejoice, the delightful prospect around, combined with the pleasures they enjoy, prevents any feeling of ill-will from arising towards any person within the sphere of their vision.

CHAPTER VI.

FORESTS.

""Tis merry, 'tis merry, in gay greene wood,
When the mavis and merle are singing,

And the deer runs by, and the hounds are in cry,
And the merry bells are ringing.

FORESTS should not perhaps be introduced in an essay on the Natural Boundaries of Empires; but as they have sometimes exercised great influence over nations, we may permit a few remarks concerning them.

In the infancy of man, the gloom of a forest often deters him from entering within its shade. The Hercynian Forest formerly divided many ancient tribes in Germany, and its influence is still perceptible in that country. The Black Forest in Suabia, which is a portion of it, proved nearly fatal to the French armies in the campaign of the year 1797, when they were commanded by Generals Jourdan and Moreau. The march of