ADVERTISEMENT.

THE hiftory of mankind is an inexhaustible fource of ufeful inftruction, and rational entertainment. There is a concatenation in events, by which they produce each other, and without a knowledge of which they cannot be easily comprehended. The rife of one kingdom is often owing to political defects in fome other; and the arts and learning of fucceeding states. take a tincture from thofe countries from whence they derived their origin. The tranfactions of a few reigns, fays Tacitus, cannot afford a fufficient ftock of materials to please or intereft the reader; but Univerfal Hiftory prefents an infinite variety of the moft ftriking and inftructive information. Nothing can be more conducive either to our improvement or pleasure, than to review the vast theatre where we ourselves are performers; to converfe with thofe who have been great or famous; to condemn the vices of men. without fearing their refentment; and praise their virtues without conscious adulation.

The following Abridgement comprehends a concife narrative of the principal events in hiftory, the causes of the rife and fall of empires, ftates, and kingdoms, a view of fociety and man

ners, with an account of the progrefs of arts, fciences, and literature.

To young people of both fexes, and fuch as are but little acquainted with hiftory, this work, it is hoped, will be found a very proper introduction to one of the most useful branches of knowledge; and to others it will ferve to bring to remembrance what they have read.

In compiling the history of the present eventful period, the Author has made it his study to collect, from every quarter, the most authentic and interesting information that could poffibly be obtained. The different accounts of the French revolution, fome fugitive pamphlets, and the most approved periodical publications, have chiefly furnished materials.

THE

ON

N the antediluvian world.-Longevity, religion, policy,

and literature of the antediluvians,

CHAP. II.

page 1.

On the probable caufes of the deluge.-On the difperfion of

mankind, and the origin of civi! fociety.

Of the Babylonian monarchy.

CHAP. III.

CHAP. IV.

P. 5.

p. 12.

Of Egypt, Government and laws of the Egyptians.-Fertility

of Egypt.-Antiquity, arts, fciences, and religion of the

Egyptians.

CHAP. V.

Of the Affyrian, or first great monarchy.

P. 14.

p. 24.

CHAP. VI.

Of the Perfian, or fecond great monarchy.

p. 29.

CHAP. VII.

p. 32.

CHAP. VIII.

Of Syria-Palaftine-And the Jewish nation.

Of the Phoenicians-Their religion-Arts Sciences-Manu-

factures-Language-and Commerce Of Scythia--Its great

extent-Character and Cuftoms of the Scythians-Their

valour, and mode of raifing foldiers.

CHAP. IX.

Of the early State of Greece, and the ficge of Troy,

a4

P. 44

P. 47.

CHAP,

Of the olympic games, and the conqueft of the Meffenians.-

Of the ufurpation of Pififtratus-Of the battle of Marathon.

The battle of Thermopyla and Salamis-The retreat of

Xerxes-The battles of Platæa and Mycale.

CHAP. XVI.

P. 81.

Of the internal divifions of Greece, the Peloponnefian War,

and the surrender of Athens to the Lacedæmonians.

CHAP. XVII.

P. 86.

Of the Thebans-Of the atchievements of the Grecian states,

from the rife of Thebes to the battle of Chæronea, P. 94.

CHAP. XVIII.

On the rife of the Macedonian empire, and the causes of

the decline of the German ftates.---Death and character of

Philip.

CHAP. XIX.

P. 99.

Alexander's acceffion to the throne of Macedon-His vifit to

Diogenes-His wonderful atchievements-His death and cha

rafter.

CHAP. XIX*.

p. 102.

Divifion of Alexander's Empire. -The Achæan League-

Greece becomes a Roman Province.

СНАР. ХX.

P. 108.

Of the fine arts and literature among the Greeks----Poetry--

Mufic-Paintaing--Statuary--Architecture--Medicine--

Eloquence-Hiftory --Philofophy.

p. 109.