2. Conspiracies, Plots, Revolts, Tumults, Riots, Insurrections,
&c. 3. Factions, Political Parties, Secret Societies, Cliques,
Coteries, &c. 4. Dynasties, Royal Houses, Noble and Illustrious
Families, &c. 5. Empires, Territories, Divisions, Forms of
Government, &c. 6. Dignities, Titles, Officers of State and Honour,
&c. 7. Treaties, Conventions, Leagues, Convocations, Councils,
Deliberative Assemblies, &c. 8. Religious Sects and Denominations,
Ecclesiastical Orders, Divisions, &c. 9. Philosophies, Systems,
Doctrines, &c. 10. Laws, Enactments, Codes, Constitutions, &c.
11. Places, Provinces, Districts, Territories, &c. 12. Races,
Peoples, Classes, Tribes, &c. 13. Military Organisations. 14.
Superstitions, Fables, Traditions, &c. 15. Romance, Legend,
Imaginary and Mysterious Personages. 16. Personal Epithets,
Surnames, Distinguishing Titles, &c. 17. National Epithets;
Political, Classical, and Social Allusions. 18. Memorable Sayings,
Mottoes, Party Cries, National Songs, Hymns, &c. 19. Books of
Faith, Records, Remarkable Publications, &c. 20. Literature, Art,
Science, Discoveries, Inventions, &c. 21. Insignia, Emblems,
Orders of Knighthood, &c. 22. National Institutions, Customs,
&c. 23. Objects of Curiosity, Interest, and Wonder. 24. Epochs,
Anniversaries, Sports, &c. 25. Prisons, Punishments, Penalties,
Taxes, &c. 26. Parliamentary Terms, Legal and Commercial Phrases,
Sec. (_The whole rendered available for instant reference by the
addition of a copious Index._)
_Opinions of the Press._
‘A handy little volume, which will supply the place of “Haydn’s
Dictionary of Dates” to many persons who cannot afford that
work. Moreover, it contains some things that Haydn’s book does
not.’--BOOKSELLER.
‘It is to the historical student and antiquarian what “Enquire
Within” is to the practical housewife--not dispensing with stores
of hard-acquired and well-digested knowledge, but giving that
little aid which, in moments of hurry and business, is the true
economiser of time.’--VOLUNTEER SERVICE GAZETTE.
‘The idlest reader would find it convenient to have it within
reach.’--PUBLISHERS’ CIRCULAR.
‘Really a very useful work; and, at the present day, when
everybody is expected to be up in everything, as good a handy-book
for cramming on the current subjects of conversation as any
that we know. About 3000 subjects have all their place in this
extraordinary collection, and although tersely given, the account
of each is sufficient for ordinary purposes.’--ERA.
‘A very desirable companion, as containing a variety of
information, much of which could only be got by diligent inquiry
and research.... Deserves a place as a book of reference on the
shelves of the study or library.’--NAVAL AND MILITARY GAZETTE.
‘This is a most useful book, but its title does not do it justice.
A finger-post only points to what you want to arrive at, but in
these pages are contained the very objects themselves. It is a very
excellent collection, and we strongly recommend it to our readers
as a cheap mine of useful information.’--JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE.
‘The scope of the work is comprehensive; its compilation must have
required immense care; and to persons who in miscellaneous reading
stumble on references to historical events, the details of which
they would be glad to understand, it will prove a book always ready
for use, and so arranged as to be turned to account without the
slightest difficulty.’--SUNDAY TIMES.
‘Mr. Shelton deserves well of those who really wish to understand
what they read.’--SPECTATOR.
‘Mr. Shelton’s idea is good, and exceedingly well carried out....
The “Historical Finger-Post” must be seen to be appreciated.’--ART
JOURNAL.
‘This most useful and admirably arranged handy-book will in most
cases greatly lighten the labour of investigation, and obviate a
long and tedious search through voluminous publications.’--WEEKLY
TIMES.
PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE, LONDON
Transcriber’s Notes:
Underscores surrounding text have been used to indicate italics
in the original. Equal signs surrounding text have been used to
indicate bold.
Obvious punctuation errors corrected. Inconsistent hyphenation
is primarily due to the large number of sources of the material,
and has been retained as printed. Inconsistent use of double
consonants (e.g. downfal, premisses) is common for the period
and has been retained. There are numerous places in the printed
book where letters or punctuation failed to print, and where the
space reserved for them clearly indicates a printing error. These
omissions have been restored.
A page number was corrected in the Table of Contents on page ix.
(The Peruvian Quipus, 418)
“S” changed to “8” on page 99. (was abolished in 1858)
The words “Queen” on pages 107-108 are very stylized and could not
be accurately represented, the tails of the “Q” extending beneath
the u and first e.
“reponses” changed to “responses” on page 144. (the crowd making
the responses)
There is a quote on page 165 which is unclosed. As it is uncertain
where the quote actually finishes, it was left unclosed.
“Adminstrations” changed to “Administrations” on page 169. (a
calendar of the Wills Administrations)
A printing failure on page 187 prevents an absolutely certain
rendering of a fraction. It has been rendered as ½, but could
possibly be ⅓. (9½ millions of tons)
“ecomies” changed to “economies” on page 200. (our national
economies)
“viâ” changed to “via” on page 203. (from the north, _via_ Reading)
“endeavonrs” changed to “endeavours” on page 208. (he endeavours to
remove them)
Arithmetic error on page 211 left as printed. (7912·40/5·49 =
1/1441). Similar error on page 212 also left.
“1S52” changed to “1852” on page 263. (New Year’s Day, 1852)
“107” changed to “197” in the index entry for Flint, use of, in Pottery, on page 290.
“107” changed to “197” in the index entry for Mechanical Effects, on page 292.
“59” changed to “53” in the index entry for Peel, Sir Robert and the Catholic Emancipation, on page 293.
“239” changed to “139” in the index entry for Pillory, the, in England, on page 293.
“79” changed to “73” in the index entry for Shyness, how it spoils Enjoyment, on page 293.