Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-06-13

Gus Subjects" &c. &c.
THIS work is offered n the American
public with undou sting CO; iience Of sue
cess :---because in government ike ours
general knowledge of Geography and
History is necessary TO almost every man
but every man has not time nor oppcTtuni.
ty 10 acquire Knowledge of all the par
ticuars relating to these interesting sub.
jscts The work proposed contains com
prehensive, 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-
pires; the wonderful effects produced by
the woI king OF the passions, aud the farce
CT geniusj the surprising varie y OF laws,
manners, customs, and opinions; the events
which have so frequently changed the face
OF the woTld ..sevcnts which have such an
intimats ccnneXion with The concerns OF
man, that, while he remains without know
ledge OF them, be is like stranger in his
native land - History, says Cicero, rs
the light of truth, the. drectress Of life.'
is there single error, or hurtful preju'
oice, from which it cannot preserve us, by
the pictures it draws of the follies and H.
lusious by which men have been led astray
Is there vice whose deformity and un-
happy consequences it does not represent by
numierless examples ORR there q virtue
OF which 1t does not inspire the love, by
ren6cting sacred the names of the virtuousf
is there situation or condition In life fok
which 1t does not afford some excellent in
structions, or which may not be profiied
IN some degree, by the knowledge which
II communicates Z"
The following. extracts from the preface
TO the work, will givesIhe reader a salts.
factory view Of the authors design
6 Geogssphy and History are two great
luminaries, which reciprocatc their light,
and ought ever to be in some mode or o.
ther. cCDoomitants.
"Tke utility Of these studies is so well
known and acknowledged, that long pre-.
face is unnecessary 70 a work on subjects
SO important and so universally interesting.
Many books, however, both on geography
aud history, being abroad in the world,
some apology may perhaps be expected for
adding another to the number. Without
pretending to depre ciate the labcrs of o.
Tiers, it viii not be amiss 10 observe, that
this compendium being constructed on a
plan entirely new, and compiled from ORR
ginal authorities, its use will rot be super
ceded by any work which is al present ex-
tdnt. Most of the works that treat of uni
versal history are too voiumnous to be ge.
morally purchased or read. The histories
Of particular nations are in proportion still
IEore pToix. Several volumes are written
on the effects u q single reign, and often on
the life and trans sections of a single iBdivi.
dual. according TO this mode OF writing
and studying history, the present genera
tIon would hnd full employment in reading
the actions OF those that Are past, * human
life would scarcely afford seufficient length
Of tAne for acquiring knowledge ofthe e.
VEINS Of iormer ages. FROM these cons der
atoms n is evident that compression, as
well as perspicuity, is requisite in SD vast
range Of inquiiy. The work here offer.
ed TO the public is intended to comprise,
within the least possible compass, all that
is Cf the greatest importance in the geo
graphy OF the globe aud the history OF man
Eitd, The utility Of the design will scarce
ly be controver,ed: ia regard TO the exc.
cution, have spared no pains in cole citing
and consulting the best authorities. 1t has
been my principal cafe NOT to substitute
fletions tor facts, or romance, for history ;
veracity has been my first, perspicuiiy ana
conciseness my next, object.
"Ihe design CT this work being to exhi~
BIZ a distinct and comprehensive view of
the different nations Of mankind through
al thelI BfauauOus q revolutions, from the
earliest periods Of historical record to the
present day, it may not be amiss TO give a
general idea Of plan, which embraces s.
wide range, aud comprises so great va
riety Of subjects In the FIRST place is trea-
ted the geography OF each country, with ali
its physical circumstances and pripcipal
productions, whether of the mineral. We
gctsbie, or animal kingdom, The nectar.
ticle consists Of description of the priaci- :
pal Cities and edlfices those striking mo.
numents ofhuman ART and industry. In this
Cepsrm have codeayored 70 desc ribe
with as much accuracy as the limits ofthe
Work would allow the capitals Of the dit
fefent empires Kingdoms, and states, with
their arts, literature, and state Of society.
subjects greatly neglected in moot gcogra-
ph,cal works. The metropolis OF STATE
being generally the locus in which It's pow
er aud grandeur are chiefly Concentrated.
Is "a Object Of great importance 10 It's hiss
Toy. lhc philosophical observer will 70;
regard il EcFe!y as an assembage ofs'feet.
ard houses, collection OF brick and mor.
ter ne Will view u az the grand theatre