have been avoided, as a new consequence will often be shewn to flow from a statement formerly made for a different purpose. However, I justify myself by the example of the learned and popular Bryant, who says,
“As my researches are deep and remote, I shall sometimes take the liberty of repeating what has preceded, that the truths which I maintain may more readily be perceived. We are oftentimes, by the importunity of a persevering writer, teazed into an unsatisfactory compliance and yield a painful assent: but upon closing the book, our scruples return; and we lapse at once into doubt and darkness. It has, therefore, been my rule to bring vouchers for every thing which I maintain; and though I might, upon the renewal of my argument, refer to another volume and a distant page; yet I many times choose to repeat my evidence, and bring it again under immediate inspection. And if I do not scruple labour and expense, I hope the reader will not be disgusted by this seeming redundancy in my arrangement. What I now present to the public, contains matter of great moment, and should I be found in the right, it will afford a sure basis for a future history of the world. None can well judge either of the labour or utility of the work, but those who have been conversant in the writings of chronologers and other learned men upon these subjects, and seen the difficulties with which they are embarrassed. Great undoubtedly must have been the learning and perspicacity of many who have preceded me. Yet it may possibly be found at the close, that a feeble arm has effected what those prodigies in science have overlooked.”[1]
I conceive the notice which I have taken of my former work cannot be considered impertinent, as it is, indeed, the foundation on which this is built. The original habitation of the first man, and the merging of nearly all ancient written languages into one system, containing sixteen letters, which in that work I have shewn and proved, pave the way for the more important doctrines that will be here developed, and form an essential part of it. The whole taken together, will, I trust, draw aside the veil which has hitherto covered the early history of man,—the veil, in fact, of Queen Isis, which she, I hope erroneously, boasted should never be withdrawn. If, in this undertaking, it prove that I have spent many years, and bestowed much labour and money in vain, and have failed, Mr. Faber may then have to comfort himself that his failure is not the last. I think it no vanity to believe that I have succeeded better than he has done, because I have come to the task with the benefit of the accumulated labours of Mr. Faber, and of all my predecessors. So that if there be merit in the work, to them, in a great degree, it must be attributed. I have the benefit both of their learning and of their errors.
In the fifth book a number of astronomical calculations are made. But every thing like scientific parade and the use of technical terms, to which learned men are generally very partial, are studiously avoided; and I apprehend that even the little knowledge of astronomy which any well-educated school-girl may possess, will be sufficient for understanding these calculations. Close attention to the argument will doubtless be re-
- ↑ Bryant, Anal. Pref. p. vii.
