TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD WALKER, BY DIVINĖ PERMISSION, LORD BISHOP OF ROCHESTER. MY LORD, HAVING now brought to a conclusion a Work, which some years since received your sanction, I avail myself of Your Lordship's kind permission to introduce it to the public under your patronage. Allow me to say, that the very handsome manner in which you have permitted me to dedicate this Family Edition of Hume to Your PREFACE. A GENERAL knowledge of universal history, and a somewhat more intimate acquaintance with the history of his own country, are what every man, who is elevated above the very lowest ranks of society, must feel anxious to obtain. Nor indeed, in the present diffused state of learning, can he remain altogether uninformed on these subjects, without incurring the imputation of disgraceful ignorance. History, it has been said, is Philosophy teaching by example: a mode of instruction, certainly of all others, best adapted to win the attention of youthful minds, to the less attractive precepts of morality; and which, while it leads directly to the practical application of their elementary studies, prepares them for the serious business of life. It may also be observed, that the perusal of history, besides the peculiar benefit to be derived from its study, as a species of reading which combines more entertainment with instruction, than almost any other that can safely be made use of, is admirably adapted to accomplish that great desideratum of education, the imparting a taste for reading, and a zeal in the pursuit of knowledge. These are the considerations, which have chiefly influenced the Editor in offering to the British public a new and revised Edition of Hume's History of England. Mr. Hume's work is, beyond all comparison, the best executed History of England, whether for the purpose of the general reader, or to convey to young people the requisite degree of historical information. The interesting manner of this writer, his judicious selection of facts from the voluminous masses of the original authors, and his beautiful arrangement of these facts, added to the charms of a pure, elegant, and classical style, have certainly left him without a rival in the department of English history. The cultivation of a good style, it may be remarked, is an object which every intelligent instructor of youth will have in view in conducting education; and aware, that the pupil will form his style more from his favourite and familiar authors, than from any theoretical studies on composition, a good style will necessarily be a leading point with him in the books he recommends for perusal at this critical period. This consideration alone must command his preference for Hume's History before all others. t An objection, however, it is well known and |