quiries into the length of the mean march, which has been shewn to be rather above 14 road miles of British measure; the 150th part of which, 493, is no more than 4 feet longer than the stade of Xenophon; 12 short of that arising on the general mean of all the authorities. At the same time, the stade of 600 Grecian feet would give the length of a march at no less than 17 miles, which is out of all proportion 9.

It has been observed, that the mean stade of 718 to a degree, is somewhat above 500 English feet (that is 505); and 500 Grecian feet are equal to about 503 English'. A pace was no doubt the elementary part of itinerary measures amongst the Greeks, as well as other nations; and the natural pace is nearly about 5 feet. Is it not probable that the integral measure, the stade, was made up of 100 of these? and that hence arose the stade of about 500 feet, in ordinary use? Some, we know not on what authority, have fixed the Grecian pace at more than 6 of our feet. But it would appear that they took the orgyia for a pace, although it seems to have been a fathom. D'Anville's Mes. Itin. p. 43. It is not probable that any natural pace ever extended to the length of 6 feet, or perhaps to more than 5. The Roman pace was 5 of their feet, answering to 4 feet 10 inches of our measure.

9 See notes to page 29.

1 A Grecian foot being equal to 12,0875 English inches. (Arbuthnot.)

2 Meaning the double step, or return of the same foot.

SECTION III.

OF EUROPE, ACCORDING TO HERODOTUS.

The Europe of Herodotus extended far into North Asia---the southern and eastern parts best known to him-proof that he knew much more than he describes-pointed description of Thessaly knew more than Polybius, respecting the north-east part of Europe; but was ignorant of the north-west partCassiterides, meant for Britain-Celta, and Cynæta-Italy, under the name of Enotria-Rome, of no importance in the politics of Greece, at that day-Iberia-Course of the Danube -Great extent of Thrace-Getæ, one of its tribes believe themselves immortal-Thracian widows, like those of India, sacrifice themselves-Distinction of Eastern and Western Scythia.

It was the idea of HERODOTUS, that EUROPE very much exceeded in length the other divisions of ASIA and AFRICA; but that it was far inferior in breadth to either; and, on the whole, that Europe was larger than Asia; Melpom. 36, 42, and 45. But he also observes, that the boundaries of Europe had not, to that time, been carefully examined; and that it was by no means certain, whether on the east and north, it was limited, or surrounded, by the ocean; Melp. 45. It follows, of course, that whatsoever tracts are described by him to extend towards those quarters, from the great body of Europe, taken according to the common acceptation, and which are

not classed as belonging to Asia, must necessarily have been reckoned by him a part of Europe.

He adds, that he had endeavoured, but without success, to meet with some one, who, from ocular observation, might describe to him the sea which washes the western part of Europe; concerning which part, any more than the islands called Cassiterides, from whence they were said to have their tin, he was unable to speak with decision: but that it was nevertheless certain, that both their tin and amber were brought from those extreme regions; and the amber in particular, from the river Eridanus, which discharged itself into the North Sea. On this name Eridanus, our Author observes, Thalia, 115, that it is certainly of Greek derivation, and not barbarous; and was, as he conceives, introduced by one of their poets 2.

3

Our Author differs from all others, Procopius excepted, respecting the eastern boundary of Europe. Others have assigned the Tanais, (or Don3:) but Herodotus extends Europe eastward to the utmost bounds of his knowledge; placing Asia rather to the

1 Thalia, 115. His want of information, in this matter, can only be referred to the jealousy of the Phoenicians.

2 Larcher, quoted by Mr. Beloe, observes, that "the Eridanus here alluded to, could not possibly be any other than the Rho-daune, which empties itself into the Vistula, near Dantzic; and on the banks of which, amber is now found in large quantities." Such a modification of the name appears very probable.

3 The Tanais divides Asia from Europe, says Strabo, p. 310; Pliny, lib. iv. c. 12.; and Diodorus, lib. i. c. 4. Africa is contained between the Nile and the Pillars of Hercules; Asia between the Nile and Tanais, says Polybius, lib. iii. c. 4.