THE MNEMONIC CHRONOLOGY OF BRITISH HISTORY, FROM THE ROMAN INVASION TO THE PRESENT TIME: CONTAINING THE DATES OF REMARKABLE EVENTS, INSTITUTIONS, INVENTIONS, AND IMPROVEMENTS, AND RECORDED BY INITIAL CONSONANTS IN METRICAL LINES. For the use of Schools and Families. LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW. MDCCCXLIX. PREFACE. THE idea of the following work was suggested by Mrs. Slater's "Sententiæ Chronologica," but for increased convenience of recollection, instead of a successive series of detached sentences, events of a kindred nature have been strung together in consecutive rhymes. The writer has none of the usual apologies for authorship, to urge on its behalf; her only hope of its acceptance with the Public, rests on the facilities she believes it will afford, for the acquirement, and permanent retention in the memory, of those dates in connection with the History and Institutions of our own country, which all sometimes find it convenient to know. She felt persuaded that such a work judiciously executed, would be useful as an Index to the study of British History; and the additional conviction, that others might accomplish the task much better, appeared scarcely a sufficient reason why it should not be attempted at all. The rhymes, as such, she is fully aware have not the slightest merit, being in many instances far-fetched and awkward; but the great difficulty often found, in torturing the initials into anything at all like a characteristic description of the institution or event, must be her apology; and so long as they are considered sufficiently intelligible, to convey the corresponding facts, to the minds of those for whose instruction they are especially intended, her sole object in their construction will be attained. It will perhaps be considered by some, that in a work professedly historical, too great prominence has been given to Institutions, Societies &c., and by others, that in this department, many of inferior moment have been admitted, to the exclusion of others of greater importance: to the former she would say, that it has been her earnest desire to trace the gradual progress of the people in Christianity, Knowledge, Civilization, and enlightened Philanthropy; and these for the most part originating with them, have been selected as memorials of their advancement: and to the latter, that she is aware of many omissions, some of which have been caused by inability to obtain definite information; and in other cases, the information came too late to be available. In compiling the explanatory notes, the Encyclopædia Britannica, and the Histories of Goldsmith, Maunder, Corner, Macfarlane, and others, have been frequently consulted, but for the greater proportion, the writer is indebted to Haydn's Dictionary of Dates, a work she has found of inestimable value, in the prosecution of her object. The dates and other particulars of Societies, &c., have been generally furnished by their respective secretaries, and she would take this opportunity of expressing her grateful acknowledgements, for the prompt politeness, with which in almost every instance, they have responded to the application of an entire stranger. The Chronology of British Biography on a similar system, has been partially prepared, and was intended to have formed part of this volume; but more mature consideration has convinced her, that the present undertaking will suffice for an experimental voyage on the ocean of public opinion; and should the frail bark, happily escape total wreck on the rocks of criticism, it will not be long without an appropriate companion. FROME, April 3, 1849. |