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


Gus SUBJECTS" &c. &c.
THIS work ia offered to the American |
public with undoubtipg confidence of sue
cess ;---be ause in government ike ours
a general knowledge of Geography and
History is necessary to almost every man (; !
but every wan has not time nor opportuniA
tv 10 acquire knowle edge of all the par
eculars relating to these interesting sub
jects The work proposed contains COM
prehensive, clear, and distinct view o. the
nations OF the earth, from their eariies
period to the present day; Z" the orig n, the
progress, the decline of nations and en-
pires the wonderful effects produced by
the working of the passions, and the force
OF Genius the surprising variety of laws,
manners, customs, and opinions; the events
which have so frequently changed the face
of the world events which have such an
intimate connection with the concerns of
man, that, while he remains without know
ledge of them, he is like a stranger in his
native land. History says Cicero, 'is
the light of truth, the d,rectress of life
Is there single error, or hurtful preJu-
dice, from which it cannot preserve us, by
the pictures it draws of the foiIies and IL
lusons by which men have been led astray
is there vice whose deform ~ aud un
happy consequences does not represent by
nun perleSs examples Or is there a virtue
OF wRtch 1t does not inspire the love, by
rendering sacred the names of the virtuous
is there situation or condition IN life for
whIeh u doesapot afford some excellent in
stFpclpns, or Which may not be profted
I'M sonse exree, by the knowledge which
it SoVapN qse,stes ~
The4oilow!ng ez5tracts from the prefafe-
TO the work, wiL46ive the reader a salts,
ia ctory v.eAv-ofAthe authors design.
GEOGRAPHY and History are two great
lumiDaries, which reciprocatc theiIHl.eht,
and ought ever to be IN some modA ar. o \
| Their, concomitants.
"Tke utility of these studies is sowell
known aud acknowle dyed, that long rfes.
| face is unnecessary to- WORK on subjects
| so important and so universally interesting,
Many books, however, both on geogr Apply
and history, being abroad in the world,
some apology may perhaps be expected for
! adding another to the number. Without
| pretending to depreciate the labors of o.
theirs, it viii not be amiss to observe, that
| this compendium being constructed on a
| plan entirely new, and compiled from orr =
| ginal authorities, its use Will not be super
ceded by any work which is at present ex-
| tant. Most of the works that treat of uni.
Versal history are too voluminouj to be ge-
i
| OF particular nations are in proportion skill
more prolix. Several volumes are written
| on the effects of single reign, and often on
! the life and transactions Of single iHdjvis
dual. According to this mode OF writing
and studying history, the present genera l..
ton would find full employment w reading
the actions OF those that are past, SC human
lite would scarcely afford a sufficient length
of time for acquiring a knowledge of the e.
vents Of former ages. From these consider
ations it is evident that compression, as
well as perspicnity, is requisite IN So vast
a range ofinquiry. The work here offer
ed to the public 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 history of man.
kind The utility of the design will scarce.
iy be controverted: in regard TO the eXe-
cution, l have spared no pains in collecting
| and consulting the best authorities. 1t has
been my principal care net to substitute
/ hctions tor facts, or romance for history
veracity has been my first, perspicuity aHd
conciseness my next, object.
"The design of this work being 70 exhi'
bit distinct and comprehensive vieW oil
the different nations Of mankind through
alt theipgradstions & revolutions, from the
ca be 81 periods of historical record TO the
/
general idea OF 3 rlan, which embraces s,
wide erangey aud Comprises so great va.
riety Of sbbjsessF In the first place is trea.
ted the geography Of each country, with al
| ITS physical circumstances ana prIucipa
productions, whether Of the mineral, We.
setapie, or animal kingdom, The next ar
ucle consists Of a description OF the prisci.
pal cities and edi6ces tho.e striking mo-
Duments of human art and industry. IN thi
department | have cndeavored 70 describe
with as much accuracy IS the limits oiJht
work would allow, the capitals ct the dif
ierent empires, Kingdoms, and states, vii
their arts, literature, and state of society
subjects greatly neglected IN most geogra
phical works. The metropolis OF a stat
being generally the focus in which its pow
&c and gragdeur are chiefly concentrated
} is an object OF great importance IA its h's
toty. The philosophical observer VIII 90
regard IL me rely as au asse U0lage OF stset'
D and houses, oOilecuon OF brick and NOR
tor he wall yIew u as the grand theaIE