The new tablet of memory; or, chronicle of remarkable event; with the dates of inventions and discoveries ... and biographical notices

Front matter

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Preface

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degree of probability be sought for. This department includes, among other things, a concise chronological account of the origin and progress of all the principal sciences, as Astronomy, Chemistry, Electricity, Galvanism, kc. ; the introduction, and most recent improvements connected with Gas, Steam, Railways, kc., and the dates of all the principal geographical discoveries, kc.

The author suggests that the following pages will be found useful as a book of frequent reference ; among others, to the following classes in society -The man of science and literature, although he will not expect from it any novelty, will often be able to avail himself of the information above alluded to, where memory fails, or the means of refreshing it are not at hand.

To commercial and professional men a ready reference to dates, kc. of acts of parliament and other public documents will either prevent the necessity of laborious research, or give such assistance as shall render that research more easy and effectual.

Tp those who may be suddenly called to conduct or address public assemblies, either of a political, commercial, or religious character, a fund of information will be found of various characters, and condensed in a small compass, by which the memory may be hastily qualified for the occasion. The reader is referred under this head to the articles, Bible, Bible Society, Corn La'Ws, Church, Slavery, kc.

To the general reader of the literature of the day, or to persons possessing a desire for knowledge, with few opportunities of obtaining it, the work will recommend itself, as containing (besides the general history and compendium of science before noticed) a great mass of miscellaneous information connected with the common events in life, which cannot fail to be eminently useful.

In conclusion, the author’s design is, that the work should render effectual assistance to that important faculty, the memory, by forming a complete, though concise, epitome of universal history — uniting the advantages of facts, dates, and alphabetical arrangement — and on a scale that he is not aware has ever before been presented to the public. In attempting this, it will be evident to those qualified to judge, that an immense labour of reference and research has been employed. How far the Author has succeeded in the accomplishment of the task he has assigned to himself, must be left to the candid judgment of the reader.

Oxford, April 1, 1841.

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