Frontispiece

to Vol. I.

UNDE UNDE EXTRICAT

W. Sharp Soulp.

London, Published Feb 10, 95, by 1.C'adell, Strand.

OF

DISTINGUISHED PERSONS,

CHIEFLY OF THE

PRESENT AND TWO PRECEDING

CENTURIES.

ILLUSTRATED BY ENGRAVINGS.
LUSTRATE

INDOCTI DISCANT, ET AMENT MEMINISSE PERITI.

THE FOURTH EDITION:

CONSIDERABLY ENLARGED,

AND

NEWLY ARRANGED AND DIGESTED.

IN FOUR VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR T. CADELL JUN. AND W, DAVIES,

V. DAVIEST

IN THE STRAND.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THIS HIS Work originally appeared in four small volumes, without much regard to chronology, or order of fituation. By the advice of the Bookfellers the present arrangement takes place, which may perhaps render the Collection more acceptable to the Public. Of its Contents about onefixth part is new to the present Edition*.

History has been called "Philosophy "teaching by examples." Biography may be faid to be Philofophy rendered dramatic, and brought home to " each man's business "and bofom;" and, in the opinion of a great master† of this fpecies of compofition," is, of the various kinds of narrative

* The New Articles may be had of Meffrs. Cadell and Davies, printed uniform with, and as a Supplement to, the former Editions.

+ Idler, No 84.

" writing,