Haydn's dictionary of dates relating to all ages and nations: for universal reference

Front matter

HAYDN'S DICTIONARY OF DATES

COMPREHENDING

REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES, ANCIENT AND MODERN,

Preface

TO

THE TWELFTH EDITION.

In 1855, when the printing of the Seventh Edition of this Dictionary had begun, and Mr. Haydn's failing health prevented the continuance of his labours, I acceded to the request of the publisher to correct the press and supply the continuations of the articles. In doing so I soon perceived that the execution of the work was far from being equal to the merit of its conception ; and after much consideration, I was eventually induced to undertake its gradual revision and completion, in order to render the book more worthy of its established reputation. During the last ten years the chronological tables have been examined and continued ; a great number of articles have been rewritten, and new ones inserted, and much geographical, biographical, literary, and scientific information supplied, together with a Table of the Populations and Governments of the various countries of the world ; and the Index has been greatly augmented by the insertion of dates relating to eminent persons of past and present times. With the present edition is given a table of Contemporary European Sovereigns since the Norman Conquest. To afford room for these additions, the size of the page and the bulk of the volume have been enlarged, and very many articles have been condensed. My aim has been throughout to make this book not a mere Dictionary of Dates, but a dated Encyclopaedia, a digested summary of every department of human history brought down to the very eve of publication. The latest Additions and Corrections will be found at the end of the volume.

Benjamin Vincent.

Febkuaky, 1866.