Once taught.

[BobG]

Thought this might be of interest. This was being taught to the children of Massachusetts on 8 July 1867. A student named James H. Willoughby of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, wrote the date on the front page of a geography book I own.

Descriptive Geography
Lesson LXXIII

SCOTLAND
Area in square miles, 30,000. Population, 2, 870,000.

Geographical Position.—Scotland, one of the three great divisions of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, occupies the northern portion of the Island of Great Britain.

Surface of the Country.—The surface is rugged, hilly, and in parts mountainous. It is divided into two parts, called the Lowlands and the Highlands.

Soil, Climate, and Productions.—The soil in some of the valleys is fertile but for the most part it is barren. Heath and moss cover a large portion of the surface. The climate is cold and humid, but healthy. The staple crop of Scotland consists of oats. Wheat and other grains are also cultivated; coal and iron are abundant, and fish are plentiful.

Inhabitant & Industrial pursuits.—The inhabitants form two distinct races,--the Highlanders (occupying the north of Scotland), who are of the Celtic race, and who speak what is called the Gaelic dialect, and the Lowlanders, who are a mixed people, similar to the English. The leading pursuits are manufactures and commerce. The fisheries constitute an important branch of industry.

Important Cities.—Edinburgh, the capital, is built on a range of hills about two miles from the south bank of the Firth of Forth. It is noted for its castle, which is built upon a lofty rock.—and the ancient royal palace of Holyrood House. Glasgow, situated chiefly on the north side of the Clyde, as the great seat of Scotch manufactures and commerce.
(Source: Page 72, Cornell’s Intermediate Geography. Designed for Pupils who have completed Primary or Elementary Course of Instruction in Geography. By S. S. Cornell. Publisher, D. Appleton and Company, 443 & 445 Broadway, New York, New York. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1855.)

BobG

[CatrionaL]

Makes interesting reading!