The new tablet of memory

Front matter

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Preface

The Compiler of this Work had no intention originally of laying it before the public, having been commenced with a view of filling up a portion of his leisure hours; but submitting it to his friends, a hint was given, that if printed in its present form, it might, most probably, be favourably received.

The Compiler perfectly agrees with the observation made by an eminent writer- 1 -" That the Public have a right to re< " quire of him who addresses them through the Press, and " thereby calls upon them to sacrifice a portion of their time " and attention, to render some account of his pretensions.'' The Compiler, therefore, begs leave to reply to the justness of that remark.

The New Tablet of Memory, or Recorder of Re-

VI PREFACE.

markable Events, is comparatively of modern date: the writers of former days seeming to have been ignorant of the mode of recording the various circumstances that have transpired at different periods of time by dates. Even Homer, one of our greatest writers, has nothing like a Calendar to be found among his many productions ; and centuries seem to have passed, ere the invention of noticing the many occurrences of times past, by dates, came into use ; and even when authorities such as — Julius Africanus, Eusebius of C^isaria, George Cyncelle, &c. &c. had adopted the plan, they were not always to be depended on ; for, by neglecting to pay particular attention to the precise time of every event, the most fabulous accounts were handed down in future Records, and hence is to be attributed the frequent contradictions which are to be found on referring to Chronological Records.

The Compiler having devoted above thirty of the earlier years of his life to the recording of passing events, begs to submit his Work to an indulgent Public, in the hope that, from the novel mode he has adopted of giving briefly a few particulars relating to some of the most interesting events, it will not be found wholly uninteresting. The use of such a Work will not be denied ; and if, after the most unwearied exertions in the course of compilation, the writer shall have succeeded in producing a Work in the least

PREFACE, Vll

interesting to the general reader, and the admirer of useful information, his efforts have not been in vain ; — for

" 'Tis not in mortals to command success ; But we'll do more — deserve it. "

In the compilation of a Work like the present, some errors will unavoidably occur ; but the Compiler hopes they will be of little consequence in the consideration of the utility of — The Tablet of Memory.

THE NEW

TABLET OF MEMORY;

OH,