The Young Lady's Geography

Title continues: "Containing An Accurate Description of the several Parts of the Known World; Their Situation, Boundaries, Chief Towns, Air, Soil, Manners, Customs, and Curiosities. Compiled from the Writings of the Most Eminent Authors, With particular Attention to the Modern State of every Nation, To which is prefixed, an Introduction to Geography; Wherein The Terms made Use of in that Science, and the Method of speedily acquiring a thorough Knowledge of MAPS, are explained in so concise a Manner, as to render the Whole perfectly easy to be attained, Without the Assistance of a Teacher. Also, An Astronomical Account of the Motion and Figure of the Earth, the Vicissitudes of Night and Day, and the Four Seasons of the Year. Dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Charlotte." Why young ladies need a geography text of their own is never fully explained, but as the unknown author of this book asks in the Preface: "Shall the most beautiful part of the creation, whose minds are capable of receiving the noblest sciences, be bound with the chains of custom and ignorance?" Females are therefore presented with useful information about the various countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Modern readers may be surprised to read that "Florida is bounded by Canada, on the north," that "among the curiosities of Poland may be reckoned the wild men that are frequently found in the woods," and that the French are "strangers to sincerity and real friendship." An interesting look at another time - for either sex.