With a Map and 10 Engravings.
A History of India in a portable form, and familiar style, having been considered a desideratum, the present work was undertaken. It commences with the early annals and first civilization of the Hindoos, traces the progress and decline of the Mahometan power, and brings the history of the success of the British arms down to the permanent establishment of the India Company, and the foundation of that stupendous Empire. It is among the annals of the East that the real Romance of History must be sought. In the variety of marvellous incidents, the unexpected turn of events, the sudden alternation of fortune, we might fancy we were reading an Oriental fable—a tale from the Arabian Nights, rather than sober history.
SKETCHES FROM THE HISTORY OF VENICE.
With eight Views after Prout, twenty-nine Cuts after Titian, Maps, etc.
Few can explore for themselves the treasures of the Italian Chronicles. The author of this work has laid open their stores for the benefit of English readers,—gleaning from them characteristic incidents, amusing stories and anecdotes; while he has sustained all the dignity of historical research.
The writer has avoided the mistakes into which mere compilers fall;—he has not sunk into a mere annalist, transcribing a dry register of facts, but he either passes over entirely, or touches very slightly, events of minor importance, and reserves himself for those more momentous and interesting transactions which require to be more fully displayed. The beauty of style in which these volumes are written has attracted general notice, and the applause of the most competent judges,—in this respect, indeed, they yield to no work of the series.
LETTERS ON DEMONOLOGY AND WITCHCRAFT.
By Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
No subject could have been better adapted to the lamented author of “Waverley” than “the history of that dark chapter of human nature” to which this volume is devoted. Sir Walter has given sufficient evidence in his novels and romances of his acquaintance with the superstitions of our own and remoter times. In this volume he has laid open the stores of his memory and reading, has condensed and elucidated the subject; in many cases explaining by natural causes occurrences supposed to be supernatural.
LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC.
ADDRESSED TO SIR WALTER SCOTT.