First Lessons in Geography Or, Introduction to "Youth's Manual of Geography"

"First Lessons in Geography" by James Monteith is a textbook from the 1850s created to teach young students about geography. Aimed at beginners, it introduces the basic ideas about the Earth's surface such as continents and oceans, using simple language. Structured as a series of lessons that use a question-and-answer method, the book explores different landforms and water bodies, and provides overviews of continents and countries. To help young students learn, the book includes maps, exercises, and lists of key features like rivers, seas, lakes, and mountains, all designed to lay a strong foundation for understanding the world.