FOR. & J. J. DEIGHTON; T. STEVENSON; AND R. NEWBY; ALSO FOR C J. G. & F. RIVINGTON; LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, & GREEN; it ed WIN & CRADOCK; WHITTAKER, treacher, & arNOT; be N & MARSHALL; R. PRIESTLEY; AND J. BOHN, LONDON; E. WILLIAMS, ETON; AND J. PARKER, OXFORD. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. THE following compilation owes its origin to the Rev. P. W. Buckham of St. John's College, Cambridge. That gentleman first suggested the idea, and afterwards executed the work, as it appeared in the first edition. The utility of such a production was shown by its rapid sale. Within a year a new impression was required; when the present Editor was induced to undertake the revision of the book. At the time, he had no intention of doing any thing beyond making a few slight corrections and additions; but, upon a closer inspection, much more than had been anticipated was found to demand alteration and amendment. The work, as it came into his hands, consisted chiefly of extracts from standard authors, with about fifty pages of original compilation. The extracts have for the most part been retained. They were excellent, and reflected much credit upon the judgment of the selector; but, owing to the disadvantages under which he had laboured, they had been put together in a somewhat confused and irregular manner. In the present edition this fault has, to a certain degree at least, been remedied. The work is now divided into Arra is the first of which relates to the history Editor is a |