PREFACE. OUR author having, in his introduction, so beautifully set forth the extensive usefulness of history in general, and of a chronological abridgment in particular; and consequently explained the design of the following work; it were equally presumptuous and unnecessary to say any thing here on those subjects. No less were it impertinent to offer any new intelligence to the learned world about a performance which hath been so long its admiration; or to recommend to it an author, whose name passes all encomium. It is well known, that, whereas all other universal historians give rather a collection of particular histories, M. BosSUET alone hath the glory of producing a true general history; which, like a general map, according to his own excellent comparison, is only one, great, consistent plan, collecting and arranging, with the justest symmetry and succession, from the beginning of time, every thing material in every nation; and exhibiting, in one view, that important scene, which alone can convey a clear idea of the universal situation, connexion, and order of things. We shall not, however, insist upon the extent and importance of the subject, or the dexterity and extent of the Genius, that could handle it in so complete and concise a manner; that could so admirably combine sacred and profane things, the instruction of the head and the heart. But is it not matter of just surprise, that notwithstanding the deserved reputation of this master-piece hath brought it no less than thirteen different times to the press in its own and other countries, neither the excellence of the work, nor the fame of the writer, should have hitherto excited our countrymen to promote the naturalization of so celebrated and valuble a foreigner? There was indeed an attempt made, above threescore years ago, to introduce this performance faithfully Englished; or ra ther so disadvantageously metamorphosed, that the original could no longer be known which may serve to account for its so different reception in that disguise, from what it hath ever met with in its native dress. Not only was the most elegant diction transformed into the most barbarous jargon, but the clearest, the finest sense mistaken, nay, made nonsense, in almost every page, or rather every paragraph. No wonder then if an English eye or ear turned away, with abhorrence, from what appeared so shocking; and if it well judged useless, what it found unintelligible. In order therefore to vindicate the injured author from the false impressions that may have thus naturally been received of him; in order to make him as well known, and consequently as much esteemed, in our country, as he is wherever else taste and learning reign; in order to present to the public, what it hath so long wanted, a complete compendium of universal history, has this translation been undertaken. The British youth will find in it the most useful classic of its kind; whether it is taught them, before they are capable of studying the large and learned volumes from whence it hath been digested; or whether it is read afterwards, for recapitu lation; or, in fine, if it is substituted in their place a classic, which the learned and judicious M. ROLLIN, the best schoolhistorian we have, but whose labours are swelled almost beyond the use of schools, hath done little else than paraphrased as a Text, nor been ashamed to own his doing So. But as our author hath shown, that the usefulness of his work is not confined to the great, so may we venture to affirm, that every age and sex, as well as degree, may reap equal benefit from it. To youth it affords an entertaining instructer; to age a faithful remembrancer; and to the unlearned, of whatever denomination, a complete system of universal knowledge, sacred and profane; though composed for the use of the greatest prince in Europe, |