HERE is no ftudy which has a greater efficacy in removing prejudices of every kind, or, which conveys more beneficial inftruction, than that of hiftory. A felection, on this account, of the more valuable paffages, which are to be found in the moft diftinguished hiftorical compofitions of ancient and of modern times, muft neceffarily be confidered as a work, which might be employed with fignal utility, in the education of youth. It is, from a ftrong perfuafion of this kind, that the editor of the present Miscellany, has been induced to undertake and publish it. The articles he has made choice of, he flatters himself, are well calculated to inftil into young minds, juft and liberal fentiments; to form, and to improve their tafte and fenfibility; and to infpire them with a generous emulation to excel. Nor are these the only advantages, which he hopes, they may derive from his publication. Views of the tranfactions and behaviour of men in difficult fituations; delineations of the characters and peculiarities of the greatest perfonages, who have appeared in the world; and relations concerning the progrefs of fociety, and the nature of fubordination and government, befide the A 2 |