Outlines of modern history, on a new plan

Front matter

aass^L0j5 Book

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OUTLINES

Preface

Modern History presents so wide and varied a field, that a volume of the ordinary size is scarcely adequate to the purpose, of pointing out all even of the more striking objects, which such a field contains. Indeed, comparatively httle can be hoped to be achieved in a very condensed narrative of the events of modern ages, on the common plan. It would be apt to become a barren outHne, or dry abstract, with little to interest or instruct the mind of the reader, and this, almost from tlie necessity of the case. The conciseness which is studied would preclude aU minute relation, and with that the chief charm of history. The character of many publications of this class, otherwise very valuable, has suffered from such a cause. By the use of two sizes of type, this inconvenience is remedied in a degree, if there be sufficient skill in the execution ; and a considerable space within a given compass, is thus allowed, for lively and entertaining matter not essentially cormected with the leading facts or fi:ame-work of history. The latter, necessarily dry in themselves, and having few attractions for common minds, but very important to every one tvho would obtain a correct idea of the course of events, may be all confined to the larger type : and thus, while a very brief epitome of history is presented in that part, the reader is at the same time, by means of the smaller type, made acquainted with details which will enUven the narrative, and the better impress the more material facts on his mind. This is one great advantage of reading history on the plan of the present work — a plan which has of late been adopted with much success ; — though the work possesses other peculiarities, which, whether they are happy or not, the

PREFACE.

reader, it is believed, will not fail to perceive. The author would only add, that in preparing this outline of history, he has consulted a large number of valuable authors, from whom he has taken whatever was suited to his purposes, in many instances with httle variation even in language, though he has generally endeavoured to maintain a homogeneous style and manner — that he has exercised much care in selecting the materials and topics, and in connecting and arranging them — that he has aimed at scrupulous fidelity in the statement of facts, and impartiality in estimating their value — and that he has occasionally interwoven in the narrative such moral remarks, and attempted throughout to exhibit such a spirit, as to render history not merely an agreeable exercise to the understanding, but an impressive lesson to the heart.

Contents

General Remarks,

Ten periods,