In the earlier ages, nearly all that is interesting in the civil history of the world is comprised in that of some one predominant empire. But since that wonderful revolution, when the declining Roman empire was overrun and broken in pieces by the irruption of the barbarous northern nations, an entire new system of things has taken place. The civilized part of the world has been divided into a number of independent states, which have at different periods rivalled each other in greatness; each, in its turn, having borne the sway, as it has been favoured by the character of its sovereign and other advantageous circumstances.-Moreover, as commerce has been gradually extended and has become a more important object, it has associated itself more intimately with civil policy. New interests have arisen from it, It has given occasion to combinations among some, and has been the cause of jealousy, enmity, and war among others: and thus the sphere of history has been enlarged and rendered more complicated. C Correspondently with this system of things, the writer has given a history of each state; in which he has succinctly related every material event, measure of government, and transaction that has occurred; and has arranged them in such a manner as unitedly to form a compendious View of Universal History. That the reader may have every possible satisfaction respecting the sources from which the substance of the several histories is drawn, references are given throughout to the volume and page of the works cited. He is thus enabled not only to appretiate every passage according to his opinion of the several authorities, but easily to detect the writer if he has written with a bias to any party, if he has not been faithful in the relation of facts, or has been guilty of plagiarism in servilely copying his originals. The partiality which men have for plans which are in any degree their own may have led him to think too favourably of that which he has here adopted, and has endeavoured to improve. On the contrary, should its utility be evinced by the public approbation, he will have a pleasure in thinking that a work which has been a source of amusement and information to himself may contribute to that of others. The political events of this period, it must be acknowledged, are, in general, rather interesting than pleasing; they are better calculated to deter men from vice, injustice, and tyranny, by exposing the ill consequences attending them, than to allure them to virtue by displaying its charms. But a person who is disposed to apply history to its true use, to draw from it lessons of instruction for the regulation of his own conduct, will find in the occurrences of this period abundant matter of observation and reflection. He may here observe the fatal effects of an immoderate thirst of dominion. He will see weakness co-operating with artifice and villainy in the subversion of states; and popular rage finishing the work begun by intrigue and lawless ambition. The kindred fiends of tyranny and and superstition are here seen endeavouring to hide their defor mity by accommodating themselves, to the genius of the age; yet still warring with the happiness of mankind, debasing the human mind and enfeebling all its faculties.* Licentiousness. may be observed disgracing the cause of liberty, and a restless spirit of innovation disturbing the world under the specious garb of philosophic improvement and political reform. -On the other hand, he may here observe industry indefatigably exerting itself, an emulation of great and worthy deeds. excited, and genius displayed in all its various forms, under the protection * For examples of the modern practice of tyranny, under cover of republican prin. eiples, and the evils arising from it, the reader is referred to the history of France during the last thirteen years. He may attend to the present situation of the Dutch provinces, of Switzerland, of the Italian republic, and of France itself. He may com pare the state of the French nation, as to the actual enjoyment of liberty, under any administration since the revolution, with the professions of those who have successively presided in them: and he may bring the merit of their several systems to the test, by asking this plain question-Have they, at any time, enjoyed that freedom of speaking, writing, and acting, which is essential to the idea of liberty? As to modern superstition, he cannot have a more striking example of it, or a stronger evidence of its pernicious effects, than is given by the intelligent monsieur Segur, who was an eye witness of it in the person of Frederic William, king of Prussia, at whose court he was ambassador. "The alliance of voluptuousness, and superstition," says he, constantly astonishes reason, and is constantly renewed. At the same time that the king abandoned, himself, without restraint, to the charms of his mistresses, "the illuminati acquired an unbounded empire over his mind: he must have been, or "seemed to be an apostle of this sect, in order to preserve its favour; for while, on one hand, he treated the duke of Brunswick, prince Henry of Prussia, Mollendorf, " and even Hertzberg, Schulemburg and Fink, who managed his affairs, coolly, and without regard, he abandoned himself entirely to Welners, Bishopswerden, the princes. "of Dessau and Wirtemberg, to Frederic of Brunswick, the duke of Weymar, and "other visionaries, who made Moses and Jesus appear to him; and who, it is said, ❝ carried protection of a well regulated government, and will have frequent occasion to admire the achievements of that exalted patriotism which is the generous offspring of freedom and the associate of virtue and honour. By an attention to these events he will learn to revere that liberty which is founded on legal restraint and the security of person and property: by mature reflection on them, by comparing the remote consequences of such as are of less obvious utility with their immediate effects, and observing their final tendency to the general good, he will be impressed with a pleasing, awful sense of a superintending Providence; he will be assisted in forming those sound principles in morality, civil policy, and religion which are the basis of social happiness, which alone will give him that firmness of mind and consistency of conduct "carried the imposture so far as, at supper, to trace to him the shadow of the ghost "of Cesar." -The same author demonstrates the ill effects of these illusions of the king on affairs of state. "By amusing his imagination with such illusions," says he, 66 or by terrifying him with such visions, the artful courtiers humoured his vanity; "and, availing themselves of his weakness, obtained possession of all influence, without "appearing to, aspire to power, and insensibly undermined that of the servants of the (6 great Frederic."-This author gives us a partial insight into the nature of the craft practised by these confidants of his majesty.-After speaking of the prosperity with which the first years of his reign were distinguished, "his courtiers," he says, 66 pre"dicted to him a solid glory, and the illuminati promised him long life, by means of an elixir, which, in fact, abridged its duration."-Should the reader choose to see further specimens of such impious and pernicious illusions, he may refer to Mr. Wraxall's narrative of the account given him in Saxony respecting the raising the apparition of the chevalier de Saxe, and the account given by Soulavie, in his History of the Reign of Lewis the Sixteenth, respecting the superstition to which the cardinal de Rohan, the duke of Orleans, and many others, were the devoted dupes.-Segur. 2. 15. Wraxall. 1. 277. Soulavie. 6. 54. VOL. I. b a Segur's Fred. William, 1.38. conduct which are essential to a character of dignity and Interesting as this period of history is to all, it is more CONTENTS. |