Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/205

 CHAP. v. $ 26. INTRODUCTION. 26. We must now describe the countries which it ; and here we will begin from the same point, w commenced our description of the sea itself. Entering the Strait at the Pillars, Libya, as far as the river Nile, is on the right hand, and to the left, on the other side of the Strait, is Europe, as far as the Don. Asia bounds both these continents. We will commence with Europe, both be- cause its figure is more varied, and also because it is the quarter most favourable to the mental and social ennoblement of man, and produces a greater portion of comforts than the other continents. Now the whole of Europe is habitable with the exception of a small part, which cannot be dwelt in, on account of the severity of the cold, and which borders on the Hamaxoeci, 1 who dwell by the Don, Maeotis, and Dnieper. ~[ The win~ try and mountainous parts of the habitable earth would seem to afford by nature but a miserable means of exist- ence ; nevertheless, by good management, places scarcely in- habited by any but robbers, may be got into condition. Thus the Greeks, though dwelling amidst rocks and mountains, live in comfort, owing to their economy in government and the arts, and all the other appliances of life. Thus too the JRomans, after subduing numprpns nntipna who were leading a savage life, either induced by the rockiness of their coun- tries, or want of ports, or severity of the cold, or for other reasons scarcely habitable, have taught the arts of commerce to many who were formerly in total ignorance, and spread civilization amongst the most savage. Where 'the climate is equable and mild, nature herself does much towards the pro- duction of these advantages. As in such favoured regions every thing inclines to peace, so those which are sterile gene- rate bravery and a disposition to war. These two races re- ceive mutual advantages from each other, the one aiding by their arms, the other by their husbandry, arts, and institutions. Harm must result to both when failing to act in concert, but the advantage will lie on the side of those accustomed to arms, except in instances where they are overpowered by multitudes. This continent is very much favoured in this respect, being in- 1 Dwellers in waggons, or huts fixed^n wheels for the purpose of trans - from one pasturage to another, as necessity might require.