True Stories, from Ancient History: Chronologically Arranged, from the Creation of the World to the Death of Charlemagne (Alta Edition)

326, 10 pp. THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE: Many years ago, I made a memorandum to write a Sketch of Progressive History for my children, as soon as they were of an age to relish such reading. That period is arrived, and I have cheerfully commenced the undertaking: it does not prove so easy as I anticipated. Ancient History is entangled with fable; and Modern History is too abounding in events to admit so clear and simple a narrative as I had projected: some incidents are too doubtful; some indelicate; some unintelligible; the most amusing are too often tainted with one or other of these defects. Yet it was imperative that my work should be amusing, or children would not read it; that it should be accurate, or children would not profit by it. I have endeavored to meet this necessity, and to produce a composition as entertaining and as true as possible. The few remarks in the margin are for the information of parents and instructors, that they may readily discover the sources whence I derived the opinions and the facts I have collected. The chronology generally observed is that of Usher, as given by Dr. Tytler in his very useful publication, "The Elements of General History." Let it be remembered, that this work is written rather to raise curiosity than to satisfy it – a mere initiatory book for young readers.