OR LIVES, CRITICAL AND HISTORICAL, OF THE MOST EMINENT PERSONS OF ALL AGES, COUNTRIES, CON- PRINTED FOR G. G. AND J. ROBINSON, PATER-NOSTER-ROW; G. KEARSLEY, FLEET-STREET; OPPOSITE BOND-STREET, PICCADILLY.-ALSO AT PREFACE. NOTHING can be less necessary than to make a formal display of the advantages of biographical writing. If any species of literary composition has to boast of an universal suffrage in its favour, it is that, which, by representing human characters in association with every thing distinguished in the nature, fortunes, and acquirements of man, affords in a supreme degree the union of instruction and amusement. But with respect to the principles on which a general work on biography, like that now offered to the public, may be most eligibly planned, different opinions will probably be entertained; and it cannot be impertinent to anticipate the doubts and objections which may arise on this subject in reflecting minds, by stating some of the leading considerations which have guided the authors in their present undertaking. The most prominent circumstances attending a work of this kind, are selection, compass, and arrangement. To speak of the latter first, as requiring the least discussion; although the alphabetical order is void of all claim to ingenuity, yet its great convenience, together with the insurmountable difficulties accompanying every other method, when attempted to be put into practice, have given it the same preference with us, that it If any one has generally obtained with our brother-writers. who has conceived of peculiar advantages likely to result from some other mode of arrangement-that, for instance, according to classes of persons-will make the experiment, he will pre sently find so many doubts arise with respect to the classification of individuals, and such a necessity for subordinate divisions, framed upon different and incompatible principles, that he will perceive the danger of inextricable confusion. Selection is the most important point, and at the same time. the most difficult to adjust, in a design of this nature. For though our work bears the name of general, and is essentially meant to sustain that character, still selection is a necessary task. In the long lapse of ages from the first records of history, the names of those who have left behind them some memorials of their existence have become so numerous, that to give an account, however slight, of every person who has obtained temporary distinction in every walk of life, would foil the industry of any writer, as well as the patience of any reader. Fame, or celebrity, is the grand principle upon which the choice of subjects for a general biography must be founded; for this, on the whole, will be found to coincide with the two chief reasons that make us desirous of information concerning an individual—curiosity, and the wish of enlarging our knowledge of mankind. But under the general notion of celebrity, many subordinate considerations arise, which it will be proper here to touch upon. The great affairs of the world are frequently conducted by persons who have no other title to distinction than merely as they are associated with these affairs. With abilities not at all superior to those of a clerk in an office, or a subaltern in a regiment, the civil and military concerns of great nations are often managed according to a regular routine, by men whom the chance of birth alone has elevated to high stations. Such characters appear in history with a degree of consequence not really belonging to them; and it seems the duty of a biographer in these cases to detach the man from his station, and either entirely omit, or reduce to a very slight notice, the memorial of one whose personal qualities had no real influence over the events of his age, and afford nothing to admire or imitate. There is a class of personages to whom the preceding remark may be thought in a peculiar manner to apply that of hereditary sovereigns, many of whom have stept into the throne and quitted it, without having served for more than to mark out a particular portion of the national history. But since the degree of power entrusted in their hands renders the personal character of even the most insignificant of them not without importance; and since the chronological series of leading events in a country is best learned by associating it with their names; it has been thought advisable in the present work, to insert every individual of all the principal dynasties, ancient and modern, with a summary of their reigns, more or less particular, according as they have exerted a greater or less personal influence over the occurrences in them. In these lives, as in all others of men engaged in public affairs, it has been our peculiar aim to make a distinction between biographical and historical matter, and to give the former in as ample, the latter in as concise a form, as was compatible with our general views. It is impossible absolutely to separate the two departments; yet it is obvious that biography alone properly belongs to the person; and that history, referring more particularly to transactions, blends the exertions of many individuals into one common agency, without being very solicitous to assign to each his exact share in the result. That interesting class which lays claim to the remembrance of posterity on account of distinction in art, science, or literature, depending solely on personal qualifications, and commonly acting individually, might seem to admit of an easier estimate of relative merit than the preceding. But the number of claimants is so great, that, in the impossibility of commemorating all, many names must be rejected, which, on the first glance, may seem as worthy of insertion as their preferred rivals. The difficult work of selection ought in these cases to be regulated by some fixed principles; and the circumstances which appear to be most worthy of guiding the decision, are those of invention, and improvement. |