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cannot be properly understood, but will present a confused the ROMANS were now become formidable to the surmass of facts, frequently unintelligible, and from which rounding nations, though that prince increased their no useful, inferences can possibly be drawn. greatness rather by arts of peace than of war. At this The HISTORY of the WORLD at large, or UNIVERSAL time commenced the disputes between the GREEKS and HISTORY, has, for the purpose of assisting the memory, PERSIANS, respecting the colonies of the former who had been divided into certain periods, each marked by some settled in ASIA MINOR. great event.

The FIFTH PERIOD extends from the conquest of BABYLON

1. The CREATION. 2. The FLOOD. 3. The period to the death of ALEXANDER the GREAT, and the diswhen HISTORY began to assume an authentic form, and memberment of his vast dominions. The Jews were now to relate facts with some regard to truth and probability. released from captivity, and rebuilt JERUSALEM and the 4. The CONQUEST of BABYLON by CYRUS, and the destruction TEMPLE. CAMBYSES added EGYPT to his empire. GREECE of the BABYLONIAN EMPIRE. 5. The reign of ALEXANDER waged successful war with PERSIA, until, at length, the the GREAT, and the overthrow of the PERSIAN EMPIRE. latter was entirely subdued by ALEXANDER the Great. 6. The destruction of CARTHAGE. 7. The CHRISTIAN ROME and CARTHAGE were making rapid advances in ERA 8. The division of the ROMAN EMPIRE by CON- extent of dominion and power.

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STANTINE. 9. The destruction of the WESTERN Empire, The SIXTH PERIOD is dated from the division of the vast and the settlement of the EUROPEAN NATIONS: 10. The empire of ALEXANDER between his four principal comMAHOMETAN ERA, and the conquests of the SARACENS manders. CASSANDER had Macedonia and Greece; ANTIand TURKS. 11. The CRUSADES, and the principal events GONUS, Asia Minor; SELEUCUS, Babylon, and the eastern which have occurred since that time. an provinces; and PTOLEMY LAGUS, Egypt, and the western For a knowledge of the most important transactions provinces. Great revolutions, however, soon took place, which took place in the FIRST PERIOD, we must refer to and still further divisions gave rise to the kingdoms.of SCRIPTURE, as there is no profane historian who gives even Pontus, Bithynia, Pergamos, Armenia, and Cappadocia. a probable account of that remote age. SYRIA and EGYPT, however, continued long powerful. ROME had wars with CARTHAGE with various success, till they ended by the destruction of the latter, B. c. 146.

In GENESIS, we find that men lived in one society, used one language, were under a patriarchal government, lived to a great age, understood many of the mechanic arts, and the use of metals, invented musical instruments, and at length became corrupt and debauched in their morals and manners.

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The SEVENTH PERIOD is remarkable for the e astonishing spread of the ROMAN EMPIRE, which, before its close, comprehended almost the whole then known world. At its commencement, SYRIA and EGYPT were on the decline. An account of the SECOND PERIOD must be chiefly drawn The empires of India and Parthia, in ASIA; Ethiopia, from the same source. It includes the destruction of the Numidia, Mauritania, and Getulia, in AFRICA; Gaul, HUMAN RACE by the DELUGE, except NOAH and his family, Germany, part of Spain, Macedonia, and Greece, in who were preserved in the ark; the building of the TowER EUROPE, preserved a show of independence; but they were of BABEL, the CONFUSION of TONGUES, and the dispersion speedily overwhelmed by the gigantic power of RoME, of mankind into different countries and different societies; and fell under her dominion." In this period, JESUS the departure of the ISRAELITES from EGYPT, and their CHRIST was born, and Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus conquest of CANAAN; their change from a THEOCRACY, or Vespasian. government by God alone, to a MONARCHY'; the actions of their kings and prophets, to the carrying away of the TEN TRIBES of ISRAEL into captivity moedermera's From the heap of Fables called PROFANE HISTORY, We gather something respecting the siege of TROY by the GREEKS, who had in a degree emerged from barbarism, and formed themselves into numerous petty kingdoms and states.

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The HISTORY of EGYPT is by no means to be depended upon during this period. TYRE was an opulent, commercial city; but both EGYPT and TYRE fell under the dominion of NEBUCHADNEZZAR. ROME was founded by ROMULUS, B. C. 752. EUROPE was, during this period, with the exception of GREECE, in a state of the deepest ignorance and barbarism.

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The EIGHTH PERIOD commences at the death of TRAJAN, when the ROMAN EMPIRE comprehended Britain, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, part of Germany, Egypt, Barhary, Biledulgerid, Turkey in EUROPE and ASIA, and Persia.

The northern parts of Europe and Asia, however, contained many fierce and warlike nations, which even now threatened, and finally accomplished, the destruction of the Roman power.

This destruction was accelerated by the removal of the seat of empire from ROME to Byzantium, by CONSTANTINE, who named it after himself, CONSTANTINOPLE.

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The NINTH PERIOD presents us with a most lamentable picture of the decline and fall of the RoMAN EMPIRE. Without, were barbarous enemies, ready to take every adThe THIRD PERIOD commences with the 56th, vulgarly vantage, and to plunder and destroy without mercy; within, called the 28th Olympiad, B. c. 68. And now profane were misrule and the most odious vices, both amongst history begins to assume a more credible form, though prince and people; numerous pretenders to the PURPLE still dehased by fable. The ROMANS were rising into starting up continually and desolating the country by civil notice in ITALY; while in Greece the petty states of ATHENS wars; until, at length, A D. 476, the destruction was comand SPARTA were laying the foundation of their future fame. pleted by the HERULI, and ROME ceased to be an imperial The conquest of ASSYRIA swelled the Babylonian em- city. Important revolutions also took place in Britain, pire to a great extent, now comprehending Phoenicia, FRANCE, and SPAIN. Palestine, Syria, Babylonia, Media, and Persia. In the year 586 .c., Jerusalem was destroyed by NEBUCHAD

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LONDON: Printed for the Proprietors, and Published by W. Ebwinds, 12; Ave-Maria lane, Paternoster-row.

Printed by R. CLAY, Bread-street-hill, Cheapside, (1) 103

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NORTHUMBERLAND.

NORTHUMBERLAND is so called from its situation, being north of the Humber. In the SAXON HEPTARCHY it formed: part of the kingdom of the Northumbrians, which contained not only the county now called Northumberland, but also Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, Cumberland, and Westmoreland. It is a maritime county, and the most northerly in England.

...NORTHUMBERLAND is bounded on the north by Scotland; on the east by the German Ocean; on the south by Durham; and on the west by Scotland and Cumberland. It is about fifty miles in length, forty in breadth, and one hundred and fifty in circumference. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, its capital, is 270 miles north from London.

The climate of Northumberland is subject to great variation; hence the weather is inconstant, but mostly in extremes. The air, however, is exceedingly healthful, and the people, who generally live to a great age, are seldom afflicted with sickness. The soil is various; the eastern part, which is fruitful, produces corn in great plenty, and it has also rich meadows on the banks of the rivers; but the western part is generally barren, it being mostly heathy and mountainous...The south-east part abounds in coals, of which eight hundred thousand chaldrons are computed to be annually sent to London. There are also large quantities of leadi and timber... This county gives the title of Duke to the noble and ancient family of PERCY. The principal manufactures are those which depend on the collieries, such as glass-works, potteries, iron-foundries, &c. are al

Its chief rivers are the Tyne, the Tweed, and the Cocket, all of which abound in salmon and trout. The Tyne, the principal of these, is formed of two branches, called the North and South Tyne, which rise at a considerable distance from each other, and uniting a little above Hexham, flow on to Newcastle, and from thence into the sea at Tynemouth. The Tweed divides England from Scotland, and falls into the sea at Berwick. The Cocket runs through the middle of the county, and empties itself into the sea at Warkworth.

This county was anciently inhabited by the Ottuduni; under the Romans it made a part of the province called Maxima Cæsariensis. During the Saxon Heptarchy, it made part of the kingdom whose name it bore; it was afterwards called Bernicia, and alternately claimed by the ENGLISH and Scors, to which last people it belonged in the time of ALFRED. It contains 12 market towns, and 460 parishes. It is in the diocese of Durham.

Its chief towns are Newcastle, Morpeth, Hexham, Alnwick, and Berwick.

NEWCASTLE, usually called Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to distinguish it from Newcastle-under-Lyne, in Staffordshire, is situated on the north side of the Tyne, over which it has a stately bridge into Durham. Here ended the famous Picts' Wall, which runs through the vicarage garden.

In the time of the SAXONS it was called Moncaster, from the monks here, who all fled when it was depopulated by the Danes; and afterwards NEWCASTLE, from a castle built here by ROBERT, the eldest son of William the Conqueror, in 1080, to defend it against the Scors, whose kings had this town before the Norman Conquest, and who sometimes resided here. In the reign of Edward I. it was burnt by the Scors, but it was shortly after rebuilt. It has been a borough ever since the reign of King Richard II. In the reign of Henry VIII. this place

is said to have exceeded in the strength and magnificence of its works all the cities of England, and most places in Europe. The castle overlooks the whole town, which is seated on the declivity of a steep hill, running down to the river. That part of the castle built by Robert was of great strength. The outward fortifications are now. defaced, and their site crowded with buildings. The tower remains entire. It is situated on a lofty eminence, and its principal entrance is on the south. This castle belongs to the county, and makes no part of the liberties. It is now the county prison, and in the great hall the judges hold the assizes. Here Baliol, king of Scotland, did homage to Edward I., in 1292, as did Edward Baliol, in 1384, to King Edward III. It is a town of great antiquity, and is supposed by some to have been a Roman station. There are still to be seen some remains of a Roman military way, leading to Newcastle from Chesterle-street. This road was carried over the river Tyne by a bridge of arches at the very place where the present bridge stands.

This town appears to be divided into two parts, by the Tyne; Newcastle, properly so called, being one, and Gateshead, on the Durham side of the river, which appears as a sort of suburb to Newcastle, as the other. They are both joined by the bridge, which consists of nine arches, as large as those of the old London Bridge, which has been recently removed from just below the site of the present bridge built by RENNIE. The Tyne is here a fine, deep, and noble river, so that ships of 400 tons burden can come up to the town. The houses are built chiefly of stone, others of brick. Here are five parish churches, and six chapels of ease, besides fifteen places of worship. The situation of Newcastle is very abrupt and uneven, as also is that of Gateshead. The country around Newcastle and Gateshead is particularly noted for windmills. The public charities of Newcastle are both numerous and well endowed. There are also numerous vestiges of monastic antiquity. Here is a well-endowed and large infirmary, and an assembly room that attracts great attention; it contains every useful apartment, and a ball-room, 99 feet by 40. In the beginning of the late civil wars, this town was taken and plundered by the Scots, who here sold their king, CHARLES I. for 200,000l. in hand, and security for as much more... This place is particularly noted for its manufacture of fine glass, and for coals, salmon, and grindstones; from whence came the proverb, "That a Scotsman and a Newcastle grindstone, travel all the world over." Here is also a manufactory of hardware similar to that of Sheffield. Here are a magnificent exchange and a custom-house, and the finest quay in England, except that at Yarmouth: being 700 yards long, it is far more spacious and larger than those of London, Bristol, and Liverpool, though not equal to either for business. Here is a handsome mansion-house for the mayor, who is allowed 600l. a year for his table, besides a coach and barge. Newcastle is very populous, containing 42,760 inhabitants; and Gateshead, (which, by the Reform Act, is made a borough,) 15,177...

This town, next to the city of York, is the largest and handsomest in the north of England. It is built on the top, side, and the bottom of a steep hill; the streets on the top are open and handsome, but the others are narrow, mean, and dirty. The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is one of the most respectable institutions in the kingdom, and has contributed greatly to the diffusion of literature and science. Great improvements have been made here within these

few years, by removing obstructions, opening new streets, and paving the principal old ones. The punishment of the bridle for scolds is said to have formerly been in use in this town. It is worth remembering, that at the assizes here in 1743, two old men were subpoenaed hither as witnesses from a neighbouring village, one being 135 years of age, and his son, 95, both hearty, and having their sight and hearing; and that in 1744, one Adam Turnbull died in this town, aged 112, who had had four wives, the last when he was near 100 years old.

ALNWICK is a neat and populous town on the high north road to Edinburgh, through Berwick. It is seated on the side of a hill, on the river Alne. This town has been particularly fatal to the kings of Scotland. In the reign of William Rufus, it was besieged by Malcolm II. king of Scotland, who, upon the point of being victorious, was killed, together with his son, and his army was routed. It is also famous for a victory obtained by the English over William king of Scots, in 1174, who was taken here and carried prisoner to King Henry II., who detained him till he gave security to pay 100,000l. for the ransom of himself and some others. It was reduced to ashes in 1215. The castle, situated on an eminence near the town, and one of the seats of the DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, may be justly considered as one of the most magnificent models of a castle in existence, as it was formerly a fortress for strength and defence. This castle first came into the possession of the family of the present duke in 1309. It has had every embellishment that art can contribute or expense procure. All round the octagon towers are several figures of warriors in the attitude of defence, which have a very singular effect. The ancient appearance of the castle seems to have filled the inhabitants with the like ideas, for, besides a large Gothic gateway and clock, the shambles, &c. are in the same style. The town has been formerly walled round, the vestiges of which may be traced, and the three gates yet remain almost entire. The customs, words, habits, and even the buildings of this town, as well as all over Northumberland, imitate those of the SCOTS; and they are very strict in the observance of their religious duties. Alnwick is distant from London 310 miles.

Belford is a small town, but one of the neatest in the north of England. It is situated on the ridge of a hill, on the high road to Berwick. Near this town are the remains of a Danish camp. It is 15 miles from Berwick, and 326 from London.

inns and its manufacture of baize. This place was plundered by the Scors in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

HEXHAM is also a small town; the streets are narrow, and the houses are ill-built. It is chiefly noted for its church. It was formerly the See of a bishop, (A. D. 674,) but the diocese was so harassed by the DANES, that no one would accept of the bishoprick, and it was therefore united to Lindisfarne in 883. The original church was raised by workmen brought from Italy, and is said to have exceeded in beauty and elegance every other in the land, no part of which now remains. The present church bears innumerable marks of magnificence, and contains many ancient tombs, and is attributed to its first prior. The architecture is a mixture of Saxon and Gothic. Hexham is supposed to have been a Roman station. Near the church are the remains of the priory. The town and the priory were destroyed by the Scors in 1296, and pillaged again in 1346. It is 15 miles from Newcastle.

MORPETH is a considerable town, seated on the north side of the river Wansbeck. It had once an abbey and a castle, which are now in ruins. In 1215 the inhabitants themselves burnt their town in mere spite to King John. It is 291 miles from London.

LEARMOUTH, on the banks of the Tweed, was formerly a very handsome town, but is now fallen into decay, consisting only of a farm-house.-ROTHBURY is an inconsiderable town, 9 miles from Alnwick. It formerly had a castle, to which a barony was annexed, but is now in ruins.-WOLLER, a small town, is seated in an ill-cultivated country, under the influence of vast mountains, which renders it subject to impetuous rains. It is much resorted to in the summer months by invalids, to drink goat's milk and whey. It is about 13 miles from Berwick.

TYNEMOUTH, formerly a mere village, by the Reform Act is made a borough. It is seated at the mouth of the Tyne, hence its name. It is 9 miles from Newcastle, and 278 from London. It is noted for its salt-works, but the greatest article of trade is coals, of which upwards of a million chaldrons are sent annually to London. It is now much resorted to during the summer months as a wateringplace. Here is a large and stately castle, seated on a very high rock, inaccessible on the sea-side, and well mounted with cannon. In this castle was formerly a monastery, of which many fine arches remain. It was often plundered by the DANES. It incloses an area of about six acres, and its present appearance is strikingly

noble.

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Berwick
Hexham, & Par.
Rothbury, & Par.

BERWICK-UPON-TWEED, seated on the borders of England and Scotland, was long the bone of contention between the English and Scots, and for a long time was considered as belonging to either, but now it is understood as forming a part of England; nevertheless it is con- NEWCASTLE sidered a distinct liberty, having a small district attached Alnwick to it, consisting of about three miles inland. It is sur-Morpeth rounded by a wall, except on that side towards the sea; and was formerly fortified with a castle, but this is now in ruins. The language and laws of the town are a mixture of Scotch and English. The streets are, for the most part, narrow, but well paved. It is seated on an eminence that commands far into the sea, and has the Tweed rolling just below, over which is a handsome bridge of 15 arches. It is large, populous, and well built. It is chiefly noted for its salmon fishery in the Tweed. Its population is 8,920. It is 11 miles from Haddington, 56 from Edinburgh, and S41 from London.

HALTWHISTLE is a considerable town on the high road from Carlisle to Newcastle. It is chiefly noted for its

Northumberland sends 10 members to Parlament, 4 for the county (being two additional); 2 for Newcastle; 1 for Morpeth (formerly 2); 1 for Tynemouth (a new borough); and 2 for Berwick.

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