Page:Description of the four parts of the world (2).pdf/11



SIA is larger than Europe and Africa, bound on the West by the Mediterranean and Ægean seas, on the North by the Sythian oceanh on the East by the Straights of Annian, and on the South by the Arabian Bay or Red Sea, which parts it from Africa. It takes its name from Asia the daughter of Ocean, and Thetis the wife of Japerus and mother of Prompheus. This is the noblest part of the world, and said to contain the earthly paradise. Here the Law was given, and here our blessed Saviour perfected the Stupendous work of our Redemption. Hence sprung the noble sciences that the Greeks learned of the Hebrews, and flourished under the monarchy of the Medes, Persians, and Assyrians.

The air is very different, by reason of its vast extent from North to South. The