Romulus and Remus discovered by a gentle shepherd.
LONDON:
BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.
PREFACE
Some explanation is perhaps due from a writer who adoptsthe title of Comic in relation to a subject which is ordinarilyconsidered to be so essentially grave as that of History.Though the epithet may be thought by many inappropriateto the theme, this work has been prompted by a very seriousdesire to instruct those who, though willing to acquire information,seek in doing so as much amusement as possible.
It is true that professedly Comic literature has been thesubject of a familiarity not unmixed with contempt on the partof a portion of the public, since that class of writing obtainedthe popularity which has especially attended it within the lastfew years; but as whatever disrepute it has fallen into isowing entirely to its abuse, there is no reason for abandoningan attempt to make a right use of it. The title of Comichas therefore been retained in reference to this work, thoughthe author has felt that its purport is likely to be misconceivedby many, and among them not a few whose judgment he wouldhighly esteem, who would turn away from a Comic Historysolely on account of its name, and without giving themselvesthe trouble to look into it. Those persons are, however,grievously mistaken who have imagined that in this, and insimilar books from the same pen, the object has been to treatHistory as a mere farce, or to laugh at Truth—the aim ofthe writer having invariably been to expose falsehood, and to[vi]bring into merited contempt all that has been injudiciously,ignorantly, or dishonestly held up to general admiration. Hismethod of telling a story may be objected to; nevertheless, if hedoes his utmost to tell it truly, he ought not, perhaps, to be veryseverely criticised for adopting the style in which he feels himselfmost at home; and if his opinions are found to be, in themain, such as just and sensible persons can agree with, he onlyasks that his views and sentiments may be estimated by whatthey contain, and not by any peculiarity in his mode ofexpressing them.
The writer of this book is animated by an earnest wish toaid, as far as he is able, in the project of combining instructionwith amusement; and he trusts he shall not be blamed forendeavouring to render such ability as he possesses availablefor as much as it is worth, in applying it to subjects of usefulinformation.
Those who are not disposed to approve of his design, willperhaps give him credit for his motive; and he may with confidenceassert, that, from the care and attention he has bestowedupon this work, it will be found to form (irrespective of itsclaims to amuse) by no means the least compendious andcorrect of the histories already in existence of Rome tothe end of the Commonwealth. If he has f