THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRESS AND TERMINATION OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC. Dieva BY ADAM Ferguson, LL. D. PROFESSOR OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY IN THE UNIVERSITY NOTICE. THE reader will be pleased to observe, with respect to the geographical names used in the following History, that the Author has endeavoured to conform himself to common practice. This is so various as not to admit of any general rule. Rome, Athens, Italy, and Greece, are used for Roma, Athenæ, Italia, and Grecia; but France, Hungary, and Savoy, are not used for Gaul, Panonia, or the Allobroges. Cities and races of men have changed so much, that we cannot employ modern names in speaking of the ancients, except where custom absolutely requires it. But the natural features of the earth, as rivers, seas, and mountains, being unchanged, are expressed by the modern name, except where they are better known by their ancient appellations, as in the geography of Greece, Asia, and Africa. This mixture of ancient and modern language may appear exceptionable; but it is hoped that the general intention, to render the subject as clear as possible, will be an excuse for any particular difference of opinion in the choice of names. ADVERTISEMENT. FERGUSON'S History of the Roman Republic is a noble work. Like the government which it describes it is simple and strong. It is one of the best digested histories that ever was penned, the narrative gliding along easily, limpidly, and majestically in one continuous stream. Pure in its diction, clear in its style, copious in its illustrations, consistent in its views, felicitous and just in its discoveries of the more latent springs of action, the History of the Roman Republic forms a perfect mirror of the arena which it portrays. Embracing, as it does, the most momentous period in the history of the world, and describing the transactions of the most important portion of the human family then living, it does ample justice to the spirit-stirring currents of war and conquest, of civil convulsion, and political revolution, with which that people were agitated, and in which that period abounds. To the publishers it appeared that an abridgment of this work would be of signal service to the young, and to such as are circumscribed in their opportunities for reading. With this view the present volume was prepared. It is reduced to one-third of the extent of the original work, preserving as much as possible of its style and diction. Much pains and attention have been bestowed on it, and it is hoped that it deserves, and will receive, the approbation of a judicious and enlightened public. NOVEMBER, 1836. |