Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-06-20

dern History " Essays on vari-
Gus Subjects" &c. &C.
THIS work Is offered to the American
public with undoujting confidence of sue
cess ,-becsuse in a government like ours
general knowledge Of Geography and
History is necessary to almost every man
but every man has not time nor cpportuni-
~ 70 acquire a knowledge of al the par
ticulars relating to these interesting sub
jects The work proposed contains COM
prehongive, clear, and distinct view OF the
nations OF the earth, from their earliest
period to the present day; "the origin, the
progress, the decline Of nations and en-
pres the wonderful effects produced 10y
the wot king of the passions. and the force
Of genius the surprising varie of j; 5,
manners, customs, and opinions; the events
which have SO frequently changed the face,
of the world ..events which have such an
intimate connexion with the concerns Of
man, that, while he remains without know
ledge of them, he is like stranger in his
native land - History says Cicero, us
the light of truth, the directress OF life.'
is there single error, or huitsul prtju-
dice, from which it cannot preserve us, by
the pictures il draws of the foilies and ill.,
lusiots by which men have been led astrayl
Is there a vice whose deformty and un-.
happy conseque ices it does not represelSSy
numberless examrlesj Or is there a1rfrtue
OF which it does not inspire the I'VE, by
rendering sacred the names ofthe Er:uousl
is there a situation or condition ID life u
which il does rot ford some EXCELLENT r.
struotions, or which may not BID profk
in some degree, by the knowledge whiN
1T communicates
The following extracts from the Meface
TO the work, will give the reader aVkis.
factory view of the authors design.
Geography and History are two great
InminarIes, which reciprocate their light,
and ought ever to be in some mode or O.
Their, concomitanis.
3" The utility of these studies is so well
known and acknowledged, that long pre-
fhee is unnecessary to a work on subjects
so inp ortant ard so universally interesting.
Many books, however, both on geography
and history, being abroad 10 the world,
some apology may perhaps be expected for
adding another to the number, Without
pretending TO depre ciate the labors of o.
Tiers, it will not be amiss TO observe, that
This compendium being constructed On a
plan entirely new, and compiled from orr.
ginal authorities, its use VIII net be SUPER
ceded by any woik which is al present ex-
tant. Most of the works that treat Of uni.
versal history are too volumsnous TO be sc.
morally purchased or read. j he histories
o. particular nations are in proportion still
more prolix Several volumes are written
on the ffsots Of single reign, andof,en on
the life and trans ctions OF single indiyi.
dual. According TO tlis mode Of writing
and stuoying history, the present genera
ton would hnd iull employment in reading
the actions OF those that are past. & human
life would scarcely afford sufiic ent length
of time for acquiring ii knowledge OF the e.
vents Cf former ages. From these consider.
stions it is evident that compression, as
we'll as perspicuity, is requisite in 50 vast
range Of inquiry. The work mere offer.
ed to the publ c is intended to comprise,
within the Least possible compass, all that
is Of the greatest importance in the geo.
graphy OF The globe and the his DRY OF man,
Kind. The utility the design will scarce
ly be contreYerted: in regard to the exc
ep1op, ] have spared no pains Ia cole citing
kEd oonsd1tfg the best authorities. j has
been my principal care not to substitute
actions Tor facts, OF romance for history
versci,y has becn NY first, pefspicuity ana
cUocjseness my next, object.
The design of this work being TO ezhi>
bit distinct and comprehensive view OF
the different nations Of mankind through
sll their gredations s. revolutions, from the
earlies. periods Of historical record 20 the
present day, it nay not be amiss 60 give
Geueral idea OF a plan, which embraces s.
wide Targe, AID comprises sogFeat va.
fitiy Of subjects IN the first place is trea-
ted the geography ol-each country, with ali
its physical circumstances and principa
productions, whether Of the mineral, We
getabie, or animal Kingdom, The next az.
tiole consists OF description Of the priaci-
pal cities ard edi6ces those striking no.
numeLts ofhuman art and industry. In this
Cepar ment have endeavorcd 70 describe
wihss much accuracy - lie limits Ct ne
work would allow, ihe capitals Of the dh-
tereut empire, Kingdoms, ard states with
their arts, literature and state Of society
subjects greatly Degl, C,ed in most geogra-
Phical wofks. Tie metropolis Of state
being gcneraly the iocus in which It's pow
ef and graRorur are chiefly concentrated
us an olject Of great importance iu is h'sl
HcTy. The philosophical observer will not
regard u merely IS on assembisge OF streets
and houses, n COLI ctiOn Of brick and NOR.
tor he VIII view II as the grand theaiIe
on which the opus,nce, the talents, and ao
ivy Of the n tion are n ost conspicocusly
displayed ia the ghsTd place, Is tSblbtttd