A summary of geography and history, both ancient and modern ... with an abridgment of the fabulous history of mythology of the Greeks

Front matter

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Preface

nHHE usefulness of Classical Learni?ig is universally JL acknowledged ; but it has been alleged, that the time requisite for acquiring it, prevents a sufficient attention from being paid to General Knowledge. The most effectual method, however, of prosecuting the study of both, seems to be to join them together. The classic authors, particularly the poets, cannot be thoroughly understood, without a considerable acquaintance with those branches of science to which they often allude ; geography, history, philosophy, astronomy, and above all mythology. To connect, therefore, the study of classical learning with that of general knowledge, is the design of the following Work*

On a subject so immense, it was impossible to be minute. The compiler has endeavoured to select such particulars as appeared most important; and it is hoped, that few things of consequence, which are requisite to illustrate the classics, will be found omitted. Throughout the whole work, he has borrowed with freedom from every author from whom he could derive information ; and where books failed him, he has had recourse to such persons as were best able to give him assistance. He owes, on this account, obligations to several gentlemen, particularly to one, for valuable communications concerning Mathematics and Natural History. The historical account of astronomy is extracted chiefly from the elegant work of the unfortunate

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PREFACE.

M. Batik/} the observations on Modern Italy, from Dr. Moore, and particularly from Mr. Swinburne, to whom every classical scholar is obliged for his accurate account of the South of Italy and of Sicily. In the account of the manners of the Germans, which is almost entirely taken from Tacitus, he has availed himself of the e legant translation of that author by Mr. Murphy ; the description of Modern Syria and Egypt is mostly copied from the travels of M. Volney and Savory; the geography of India, from the excellent Memoir of Major Rennell; the account of the trade to India and to the New World, of the manners of the Hindoos, and of the Native Inhabitants of America, f rom the admired works of Dr. Robertson. The ancient history, geography, and mythology, have been Carefully collected from the Classics, whose very expressions have, as nearly as possible, been faithfully transcribed, and the passages referred to correctly quoted. When the fact is curious or important, the ([notations are more numerous. The greatest care has been taken to omit nothing which might serve to illustrate any passage in a classic author; and in this part of the work in particular, the compiler has frequently had his labour repaid, by accidentally meeting with explanations or illustrations of many passages, which he never before understood. Tor a more ample account of several particulars in ancient mythology, on which he has been very short, he refers the reader to Lemprierefs Classical Dictionary, to Natalis Comes, and other larger works on that subject; for a fuller description of the antiquities of Greece, to the Travels of Anacharsis, by the Abbi &art)ielemi % and to Potter's Greek Antiquities i concerning ancient geography in general, to Cluvcrius, CeHariii$ t and D'Anviik*

Thai the work might be included in one volume, it has been judged proper to print a great deal of import-

ant matter in the manner of notc^; which, it is hoped,

will be found no less accurately compiled than if then

PREFACE.

had been to appear in a more splendid form. The great object has been, to condense as much useful information as possible within moderate bounds. The compiler imagines, that in another volume a pretty accurate, though brief account, might be given of the most important facts in ancient and modern history, and of whatever is most curious in every country of the globe. A small abridgment, containing merely what is requisite for the learner to commit to memory, may perhaps by some be deemed necessary : if so, that object may be easily accomplished ; and if any number of teachers signify their desire, the compiler will execute it to the best of his ability. But with regard to the additional volume, it must be a work of time. And he now means, if the public approve of his present attempt, to direct his attention to another undertaking, in which he has already made considerable progress, the compiling of a short but comprehensive Latin and English Dictionary, upon a new plan. He was led to think of this, by his having found cause, in composing both the present work and the Roman Antiquities, to depart in many words from the interpretation given of them by Ainsworth, and in all the other Latin and English Dictionaries he has met with. He has a further inducement to prosecute this undertaking, that the researches to which it must naturally lead him, will afford the best means of improving both this and his former works.

He again begs leave to entreat the encouragers of learning, that, if they discover any mistake, or can suggest any improvement, they will have the goodness to communicate it to him. He hopes the industry he has bestowed, and the evident intention of his labours, will dispose every one who wishes to promote the improvement of youth, to favour him with advice and assistance. The testimonies of approbation he has received from several of the first literary characters in the kingdom, and the favourable reception which the Roman Antiquities have met with from vi

PREFACE.

the public in general, have encouraged him to enlarge the plan of the present work, and to exert his utmost diligence in improving it, that he might at least shew how highly he values the honour they have done him. He will consider himself happy, if his efforts shall be thought to merit the continuance of their esteem.

The editions of the Classics, which have been consulted in this work, are mostly the same with those mentioned in the Roman Antiquities ; Ca'sar in usum Delphini ; Pliny, by Brotier ; Quinctilian, and the writers on husbandry, by Gesner ; Quinttts CurthlS, by Pi ti sens ; Dion ij si us of Halica?viassus, by Reiske ; Diodorus Siculus, by WesseUngius ; Plutarch's Morals, by Xylander ; Dio Cassias, by Reimarus ; Apollodorus, by Heyne ; Pausanias, by Kuhnius ; Strabo, who has most of all been consulted,) by Walters, where the divisions referred to are marked on the margin of the page; JEUan, by Perizonius ; Scriptores Mythographi La tin i, by Avgustinus van Stawren, &c. It is needless to mention the editions of Mich authors as are always divided in the same manner.

Edinburgh, 157/; Mai/ 17<M.

CONTENTS i

Page

Figure and Motion of the EARTH, - i PLANETS, - 3

Description of the Terrestrial Globe, - 5

Manner of finding the Latitude and Longitude, 9

Historical Account of the Progress and Improvements of ASTRONOMY and GEOGRAPHY to the time of Sir ISAAC NEWTON, - - 11

Principles of the NEWTONIAN PHILOSOPHY, occasionally compared with the Opinions of the An-

I. General Properties of MATTER, - ib.

II. Particular Properties of MATTER, - 41 Magnetism and Electricity, - - ib.

Properties of the AIR, 42 Heat and its Effects, - - 48 Evaporation, 49 Clouds, Rain, Springs, &c. 50 Earthquakes and Volcanos, - - 52 COLD and its Effects, - - 53 Congelation, 54 Winds, 55

LIGHT and its Effects, 59

MOTION and its Laws, - - 68

First Principles of GEOMETRY, - 71

The HEAVENLY BODIES, . - 76

I. The Planets and their Satellites, - ib.

II. The Fixed Stars, - - 87 The Celestial Globe, - - 92 contents.

Page

The TERRAQUEOUS GLOBE and its Component

Parts, - - - - - 98 GENUAL Division of BODIES on the Terraqueous

Inorganic Inanimate Bodies, 105

[. Salts, ib.

III. Inflammable Substances, - - 109

Explanation of Terms; Solution, Fusion, Distillation, &c. - - - - 120.

General Divisions of the Terraqueous Globe, 123

Chief EMPIRES which have existedin the World, 126

Chief COMMERCIAL STATES in Ancient Times, ib.

Different Forms of GOVERNMENT, - 129

Different RELIGIONS, - - - 130

EUROPE. 131

Its Boundaries, Chief Seas, Straits, and Rivers, - 132

Ancient and Modern Divisions of Europe, - 133

ITALY. ib.

Anc ient DiMsioNS of Italy, - 135

IYbi.k Wats through Ancient Italy, - 183

Modern Divisions of Italy, - - 185

Histori of ITALY in Ancient Times, - ib.

Foundation of ROME, and its Government by

History of the Rom an Repcrlic, - - 207

ofthr Roman Emperors, - - 243

of Modern Italy, - - 251

of the CbU8ADK8 and thoir CONSEQUENCES, 253

— ot tin K 1 nodom of Naples, - 255

MCILV. 256

1 1 istory of Sicily, - - - 273

LlPARl Is] VNDS, - 275

Sardinia and Corsica, - 278