and forced on the historian the duty of reflecting on the past, and collecting all the circumstances which could throw light upon the future. The reflections suited to the close of the reign of George III. are not very applicable to the conclusion of that which has just terminated; the literature, the policy, the feelings of the age have changed, and the system of education itself is undergoing a silent revolution. Abstruse science and the refinements of literature have found their way from the colleges to the schools, and the rising generation share largely in advantages, of which their predecessors were totally deprived. Impressed with these considerations, the present editor has deemed it necessary wholly to re-write the reigns of George III. and IV. in order to present, in a connected form, the successive links of that chain of events which unites the present condition of Europe with the American revolution. In performing this task, it has been his principal object to avoid giving offence to the feelings of any political party, and simply to detail the occurrences without any colouring which might prejudice or bias the youthful judgment. Youth is the season of warm feelings and strong passions; if these be stimulated by the virulence of party spirit, the consequence will necessarily be erroneous judgment, and still more erroneous conduct. There are, however, some political considerations which may be offered to the youthful mind, not only without injury, but with positive advantage, and these are, the necessity of cherishing love for all our fellow subjects, affection for the country that gave us birth, reverence for the constitution under which our fathers have lived happily, and transmitted the inheritance of freedom and equal laws to their descendants, obedience to the sovereign and rulers of the state; and, above all, a veneration for the principles of morality and religion, seeing we are informed, on the highest authority, that " Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is the ruin of a people." These are the lessons which the present editor has been anxious to impress, however imperfectly, on the mind of the youthful student, conscious that, if successful, he shall have the proud reflection of having done some good in his generation, and that even if he fails his intention will bring its own reward.

To this edition has been added wood-cuts of the busts of the kings, collected from the most authentic sources, and executed with more care than is usually bestowed on the preparation of such illustrations.

London. Jan. 1. 1831.

W. C. TAYLOR.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER

EXPLANATORY OF THE

Edolatry of the Saxons or Ancient Britons.

THE idols which our Saxon ancestors worshipped were various; but those which are delineated in the Frontispiece, and from which the days of the week derive their names, were the principal objects of their adoration. Subjoined is a brief account of them.

The Idol of the SUN.

This idol, which represented the glorious luminary of the day, was the chief object of their adoration. It was placed in a temple, and there worshipped and sacrificed to; and they considered that the Sun in the firmament corresponded and co-operated with it. The first day of the week was especially dedicated to its adoration, which they termed the Sun's daeg: hence is derived the word SUNDAY.

The idol of the sun is described like the bust of a man, set upon a pillar; his face brightened, as it were, with the solar rays, and holding, with outstretched arms, a burning wheel before his breast; the wheel being intended to denote the course which they imagined the sun performed round the world; and his brightness, the light and heat with which he warms and cherishes the animal and vegetable world.

The Idol of the MOON.

The next, according to the course of the days of the week, was the Idol of the Moon, which they worshipped on the second day of the week, called by them Moon's daeg: and since by us, MONDAY.

The form of this idol is intended to represent a woman, habited in a short coat, and a hood, with two long ears. Her dress is altogether singular, and history does not inform us of the reason of her being so incongruously attired. The moon which she holds in her hand designates the quality.

The Idol of TUISCO.

TUISCO was deified as the first father and ruler of the Germans and Scythians: and it was a custom that prevailed