i 3 8 HISTORY OF THE [book. hi. 
ry, those circumstances which are common to 
them all. 
Their civil history will be short; for in this part 
of my subject I have but little to add to the recital 
of Oldmixon, and other writers who have prece¬ 
ded me; and where novelty is wanting, brevity is 
indispensably requisite. 
