PREFACE TO THE EIGHTEENTH EDITION. THIS book, when it first appeared in 1841, consisted of 568 pages of smaller size and larger type than those of later editions. It was favourably received, as it in some degree supplied a public want. In 1855, Mr. Joseph Haydn, the compiler, was compelled by failing health to relinquish his labours, and at the earnest request of the Publisher, Mr. Edward Moxon, the present Editor undertook the continuation of the work, and the superintendence of the SEVENTH EDITION, while passing through the press. This led eventually to his undertaking the thorough renovation of the book, which has been effected by long continued labour in revision and in selection from an abundance of valuable materials, and now little of the original work remains. The new features include Chronological Tables at the beginning of the volume, innumerable literary, scientific, topographical, and geographical facts inserted in the body of the work, and a Dated Index. make room for these additions the size of the page has been enlarged, many articles have been condensed or printed in smaller type, and much useless matter has been expunged. Το The EIGHTEENTH EDITION has been thoroughly revised, and continues the general history of the world during the last three and a half years, under the heads of the respective countries; the more important events being noticed in separate articles. Especial attention has been given to the affairs of the British Empire, political, ecclesiastical, social, commercial, and philanthropic. Details are given of our recent wars in Egypt and the Soudan, and of the French wars in Tonquin and China. Many small articles have been inserted. relating to topics liable to arise in general conversation. This edition contains fifty-five pages more than the last, published in 1881, and one hundred and three pages more than that published in 1878. The Editor has endeavoured to make the book a dated Cyclopædia, a digested summary of every department of human history, brought down to the eve of publication; acting under the influence of the old maxims, "Homo sum; humani nihil a me alienum puto,” and “Nulla dies sine lineâ." The kindness of those friends who have pointed out errors and omissions, which are almost unavoidable in a work of such scope and magnitude, is gratefully acknowledged. Much of the information in the book necessarily depends on varying statements often exceedingly difficult to verify. The more important events that have occurred during the printing of this edition, including the insurrection in the North-West territory of Canada, are noticed in the ADDENDA, pages 941-2. A DICTIONARY OF BIOGRAPHY, as a suitable companion to this DICTIONARY OF DATES, was published in 1877. ROYAL INSTITUTION, ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON, W. June, 1885. BENJAMIN VINCENT. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. THE design of the Author has been to attempt the compression of the greatest body of general information that has ever appeared in a single volume, and to produce a Book of Reference whose extensive usefulness may render its possession material to every individual-in the same manner that a London Directory is indispensable, on business affairs, to a London merchant. The Compiler persuades himself that the DICTIONARY OF DATES will be received as a useful companion to all Biographical works, relating, as it does, to things as those do to persons, and affording information not included in the range or design of such publications. LONDON, May, 1841. JOSEPH HAYDN. [Died Jan. 17, 1856.] |
