K.G. D.C.L. ETC. ETC. ETC.
CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.
IF apology be necessary for prefixing
Your Grace's illustrious name to the present volume, it will
be found in the matter of which this volume treats.
It was
impossible for an Englishman to follow the interesting details
of that struggle for ascendancy which commenced between
two antagonist powers of the ancient world in the plains of
THE PENINSULA, and not to revert with national pride to the yet
more important struggle which this age has witnessed, on the
very same arena, brought to a successful issue, through the
blessing of PROVIDENCE, by Your Grace's counsels and arms.
It was impossible to resist the conviction, that to no one,
with so much propriety as to Your Grace, could be dedi-
cated this eventful portion of THE HISTORY OF ROME: a
period including the brilliant career of one of the greatest
generals of antiquity; who, after liberating the Peninsula
from invading armies, transferred the war to the land of
the invaders; and thence returned in triumph to a grateful
and admiring country, having dictated peace to the enemy at
the very gates of their capital, after vanquishing the chief,
through whose consummate military skill and political
address, the destinies of Europe and the pretensions to
Universal Empire were long kept in suspense.
I have the honour to subscribe myself,
MY LORD DUKE,
With every sentiment of profound respect,
Your Grace's most obedient and very faithful Servant,