VI. DEPARTMENT: 



CHRONOGRAPHY. 



IN the department of Chronography, we include the Civil or 

 Political History of all nations, from the most ancient times ; and 

 their Archaeology, or the study of their antiquities, so far as this 

 subject is properly treated in connection with history, or in an histori- 

 cal manner. The name is derived from the Greek, zpovos, time ; and 

 ypa$?7, a description ; literally signifying a description of times, or 

 events. We prefer this name for the present department, both from 

 its symmetry, and because the term History, from the Greek, tctopia, 

 originally signified, and was used by Lord Bacon to include, all 

 knowledge of facts, depending on memory or records. Hence the 

 term Natural History was applied to the study of animated and 

 inanimate nature ; which has but slight relations to the studies here 

 embraced. Or, if History be restricted to a narration of past events, 

 every branch of knowledge has its own history ; and the term would 

 still be too comprehensive for the present department of Human 

 Knowledge. 



By Civil or Political History, is meant the study or record of 

 such past events, as had a national character or influence ; with philo- 

 sophical views of their causes and consequences. Sacred History, is 

 that which is contained in the Bible ; all other being called Profane, 

 or more properly Secular History. Of Ecclesiastical History, or 

 that of the Christian Church, we have already spoken, as far as our 

 present limits would allow, (p. 145). Particular History, is confined 

 to some one state or division of the earth ; or to some limited period ; 

 but General or Universal History, treats of all nations, in all ages, 

 with due reference to their connections and relations. General 

 History is usually subdivided into Chronological Periods, more or 

 less numerous ; but most frequently into Ancient, Mediaeval or 

 Middle, and Modern History : the first extending to the fall of the 

 Roman Empire in Italy, A. D. 476 ; the second to the discovery of 

 America, in 1492; and the third, to the present time. Most works 

 on General History are arranged in Chronological order ; giving the 

 History of several nations in connection, at least for brief periods : 

 but we shall here adopt the Ethnographical order; and trace the 

 History of each nation from its origin to its downfall ; except in 

 making a distinct branch of Ancient History, in conformity to general 

 usage. 



Of the uses of History, as a discipline of memory, and reason ; as 

 auxiliary to the studies of Government and Religion ; as a magazine 

 of valuable information ; and as a fruitful source of practical philoso- 

 phy, we have no room farther to speak ; but would add, that even as 



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