ΤΟ

THE REV. JOHN KEATE, D. D.

CANON OF WINDSOR,

AND HEAD MASTER OF ETON SCHOOL,

THIS VOLUME

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,

IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HIS LIBERAL

AND CONTINUED ENCOURAGEMENT AFFORDED TO

THE AUTHOR.

THE following Treatise has considerably exceeded the limits, which had been originally assigned for so elementary a work; but the extent of the subject is so great, that the individual details will perhaps still be deemed too concise. In addition to some account of the various ethnical and political changes, which have so repeatedly taken place in the early ages of the world, as well as in later times, there have been a few other matters introduced, either intimately connected with the study of Geography, or having a general bearing upon it. These have been added, not only for the sake of diminishing the dryness of recital, and of giving an identity to each place which might better impress it on the memory of the young, but from a wish to omit no opportunity that presented itself of briefly noticing those things and circumstances, which may be read when pressed on the attention, but which are otherwise frequently neglected to be sought for. The Author is aware that this intention, with whatever

diligence it may have been pursued, must, from it's very nature, have been in some points but imperfectly executed, and he therefore solicits in it's behalf the indulgence of the candid and the learned. He has availed himself of all the critical works, which came within his reach, and patiently compared them with the original Authorities, as well as with the investigations of the most recent and judicious travellers. Amongst the learned Authors, whose labours he has freely used, he may mention Cramer, Heeren, Kruse, Mannert, Ukert, Cluverius, Wells, Lempriere, Maas, Reland, D'Anville, Romanelli, Chaupy, Nardini, Camden, Gibson, &c. &c.

The extracts from the Ancient Authors, and the references to them, which are appended to the body of the work, will, it is presumed, be of some service in illustrating and enlivening the subjects to which they belong. It was originally intended to confine these notes to extracts from the poets; but the temptation to cite passages from the prose-writers, and to refer to some of the most interesting facts described by them, has been, in a few instances, too strong to be avoided the exceptions, however, in both cases, will be found to have been adopted with a sparing

hand. For the illustrative notes on the XIth, XIIth, XIIIth, and XIVth Chapters, as well as for the greater part of those on the VIth Chapter, the Author is indebted to the Rev. Richard Okes, м. A. late Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and one of the AssistantMasters of Eton. He has likewise enjoyed the benefit of that Gentleman's advice and criticism throughout the remainder of the illustrations; and holds himself indebted to him, for his many obliging attentions, in a degree that no acknowledgment can sufficiently express.

The Student, desirous of obtaining greater information concerning ancient Greece and Italy, will do well to consult the labours of Mr. Cramer, who, it is hoped, may be persuaded to continue the illustration of Historical Geography, which, in his interesting account of these countries, he has so ably begun.

Soho Square, January 1831.