PREFACE. fill 



liudliiations to which all fubiunary things are liable. Many iiich 

 changes appear in comparing this brief (ketch with the few finiilar 

 notices of earlier times to be found difperfed in other works, parti- 

 cvilary in Dodlley's Preceptor, publiflied in the year ij^S; and fome 

 topographical notices in IVJr. Anderlbn's work. 



As a large book is little better than a chaos, or mine, of materials 

 without the help of a copious Index, I have' endeavoured to make 

 that which is fubjoined to this work as comprehenfive, and at the 

 lame time as concife, as polTible : and I have followed Mr. Anderfon's 

 plan in giving the date of every article. 



The authenticity of antient hillory refts entirely upon the evid- 

 ence of antient writers, and can only be eflablilhed, to the fatisfac- 

 tion of a judicious reader, by referring to the original authors. This 

 I have conftantly done: and I have not loaded the work with un- 

 neccffary quotations from their followers ; for a thouland followers 

 of an original author add nothing to the value of his evidence, though 

 an oftentatious difplay of their names may give a writer a great re- 

 putation for erudition in the opinion of many readers : but I wifli 

 for no falfe reputation of that or any other kind. I have not, how- 

 ever, been negledful of the works of later and modern hiftorians 

 and commentators, but have carefully confuked them, in order to 

 obtain their judgement upon doubtful points, or to avoid the omif- 

 fion of any thing important which might have efcaped myfelf ; for 

 no writer ought to be fo confident of his own refearch or talents as 

 to negle<3: the help of others. 



As the difcovery of truth is the greateft pleafure attending hillo- 

 rical refearch, I have not fcrupled to differ from men of great and 

 eftabliflied reputation, when compelled to do fo by the firfl and mofl 

 indifpenfible duty of an hiitorian, and by the refped due to thofe 



