The principal Political Divisions, are _Empires_, _Kingdoms_, and
_Republics_.
An EMPIRE consists of several large countries, governed by one
sovereign, called an emperor.
A KINGDOM is generally of a lesser extent than an empire, and is
governed by a king.
If the power of an emperor, or of a king, be limited by law, the
government is called a _limited monarchy_; if there be no legal
restraint to the will of the sovereign, it is called an _absolute
monarchy_.
A REPUBLIC is a country, the government of which is confided to persons
elected, by the people, for a limited term. A Republic is generally
composed of a union of States.
States, Provinces, Counties, Cities, Towns, &c. are still smaller
divisions of countries.
The principal Religions professed by the inhabitants of the earth, are
the Jewish, Pagan, Mahometan, and Christian.
There are five principal races of men.
1. The _Asian race_ are of a deep yellow or tawny color; have small
eyes, prominent cheek bones, and an abundance of straight black hair.
2. The _Malay race_ are of a deep brown color; have broad noses and
mouths, projecting foreheads, and black curled hair.
3. The _African_ or _black race_ have thick lips, flat noses, and black
woolly hair; the head is compressed on each side, the forehead very
arched, and the chin drawn in.
4. The _Native American race_ are of a copper color; have exceedingly
high cheek bones, and straight black hair.
5. The _European race_ (which includes the inhabitants of the United
States and all descendants of Europeans in every part of the earth) is
distinguished from the other by the regularity and symmetry of their
features and by their complexion, which is white mingled with red; they
have straight hair. In warm climates the European complexion takes a
swarthy or brown color; but the original color, viz. white and red,
always prevails in the complexion of the infants of this race in every
climate. This race is supposed to have _originated_ in the Caucasian
countries in Western Asia, and is sometimes called the _Caucasian race_.
[Illustration: A VIEW OF THE FEATURES WHICH DISTINGUISH THE FIVE
PRINCIPAL RACES OF MEN.]