CURIOSITIES OF HISTORY; With New Lights. A BOOK FOR OLD AND YOUNG. BY JOHN TIMBS, F.S.A. AUTHOR OF THINGS NOT GENERALLY KNOWN; CURIOSITIES OF LONDON, ETC. KENT AND CO. (LATE BOGUE), FLEET STREET. MDCCCLVIII. GENTLE READER, The success of my little volume of "THINGS NOT Generally KNOWN" has proved, like Seneca's "good turn, a shoeing-horn to another,"—in the present volume. The book now submitted to you is, indeed, an extension of the design of its predecessor to "THINGS NOT GENERALLY KNOWN IN HISTORY;" or, where known, but imperfectly understood. First, I have endeavoured to seize upon a great number of the salient points of History; and, wherever practicable, to throw New Lights upon Old Readings. Next, I have attempted to supply in this volume what has long appeared to me to be a want. Every reader of a newspaper is aware how often historic incidents and classical quotations are employed by public writers, by way of illustrating their subject. The plan is doubtless a good one; although it takes for granted a much wider acquaintance with history and classic lore than it generally falls to the lot of some to receive, or, having received, to remember. Now, to inform the one class, and to assist the memory of the other, it is hoped that each section of this little book may contribute. For this object I have sought, by condensation and re-writing, to present to you the main points of the subject; and, by acknowledgment of authorities, to refer such as desire further detail to the most accredited sources. Another aim of this book is to examine a few of the Popular Errors of History, of which there exists a plentiful crop. This has been specially attended to in the section of "Historic Doubts ;" and has not been lost sight of throughout the volume. History is a world-wide field; but, by taking Donne's advice, and getting "Up into the watch-tower," I hope to have succeeded in separating the fallacies from the facts, and in presenting in the most picturesque forms many hundred Events and Incidents, Sayings and Origins, and noteworthy instances of Human Action, which may be read with pleasure and permanent advantage. For this purpose, A world of things must curiously be sought, A world of things must be together brought; and by these means I have endeavoured to render the "CURIOSITIES OF HISTORY" Worthy of public favour. May 1858. I. T. |