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PREFACE

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THE ANTIENT GEOGRAPHY.

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THIS work was written by Dr. Butler when Head Master of Shrewsbury School, to supply a want which he felt among his own pupils, and thought might probably be experienced by others. was composed in the spare half-hours which he could snatch by early rising, before the labours of the day commenced, and was originally a mere hasty sketch. Much was from time to time interpolated by himself, and a good deal has been added subsequently to his death by his son, as the advancement of geographical information seemed to require. One obvious inconvenience arising from these circumstances has been a deficiency of orderly and methodical arrangement. Something has been already done in previous editions towards a better classification of the facts, and now the difficulty has been dealt with at large. The physical features of each country have been mentioned first, and brought more prominently forward. The political

divisions, towns, and other objects of interest have been made to follow in order. The work has been very carefully revised, and great acknowledgments are due to the learned and laborious work of Dr. Forbiger for much valuable assistance in the course of it.

One other point requires notice. The price at which the book has hitherto been published has been felt to be an obstacle in some cases to its free use. The present edition is not only printed in a cheaper form, so that, notwithstanding its increased bulk, its price is somewhat diminished, but the antient and modern parts have been published separately, so that either may be obtained as required, without the purchaser being encumbered with the whole work.

It is hoped, with some confidence, that these improvements will be acceptable to the public; and the Editor can truly say that he has spared neither time, trouble, nor expense to render them as complete as possible.

Langar, Aug. 22. 1854.

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