Of the nations of Europe it may be said that in point of rank Great
Britain, Germany, France, Austria, and Russia stand first as the
“five great powers.” These include within their limits more than
two-thirds of the entire population of Europe, and have for a long
time controlled all continental questions. Second come Italy, Spain,
and Sweden; in third rank are Turkey, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and
Portugal.
Another grouping on the basis of race stocks is frequently made
beginning with the highest in culture, the _Germanic_; passing
thence to the _Romanic_; concluding with the _Slavonic_, and the
lands under the rule of the _Turks_, lowest in the scale, which are
most closely connected with the Mongols of Asia. The Germanic, or
Teutonic nations, include Great Britain; the German Empire;
Austria-Hungary; Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark); Holland, or
the Netherlands; Switzerland, and Belgium. The Romanic nations
include France; Italy; Spain; Portugal; Greece, and Roumania. The
Slavonic nations, Russia in Europe; Servia, and Montenegro. The
Turkish or Mongol nations, Turkey in Europe; Bulgaria.
For various reasons the first grouping is adopted in the pages
following.