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VIPREFACE,magnificence of its monuments, that have, as it were, been discovered withinthe recollection of our all serve to render that contemporaries, country a mostinteresting subject of speculation and critical study.The volume on Africa first introduces the Carthaginians, who had the melancholy fate of becoming famous only by their ruin. Mr. lleeren discussesthe condition of their African territory, their foreign provinces and colonies,their form of government, their revenue, their commerce by laud and by sea,their military force, and lastly the decline and fall of their state.Before entering upon the consideration of the Egyptians, Mr. Hccrcnascends the Nile, and presents us with a geographical sketch of the Ethiopiannations, an account of the state of Merot and of 5 the commerce of Meroe,andEthiopia.The Egyptiansare then considered.A general view of their country andits inhabitants, its political condition and its commerce, these are the topics,under which he treats of that most ancient people. The whole is concludedby an analysis of the monuments which yet remain of Egyptian Thebes.These are the subjects which are discussed in the " Reflections of Heeren,"a work which deservedly holds a high rank among the best historical productions of our age. Mr. Heeren's style is uniformly clear, and there are fewof his countrymen whose works so readily admit of being translated. Wemay add, there are few so uniformly distinguished for sound sense and a rational and liberal method of studying the monuments of antiquity. He isentirely free from any undue fondness for philosophical speculations, but recommends himself by his perspicuity, moderation, and flowing style.The business of translating is but a humble one ;and yet itmay bo thesurest method of increasing the number of good books which are in the handsof our countrymen. None can be offered more directly interesting to them,than those which relate to political institutions. Holding as we do our destinies and our national character and prosperity in our own hands, it becomesus to the contemplaterevolutions of governments toj study human nature,as exhibited in its grandest features in the changes of nations tojconsidernot only the politics of the present age, but gaining some firm ground, such ashistory points out, to observe with careful attention the wrecks of other institutions and other times, The present volume may perhaps do somethingto call public attention to the merits and true character of the ancient Greeks,The admirers of Grecian eloquence will find in one of the chapters, an outline of the political career of Demosthenes. His reputationis there vindicatedfrom the calumnies that have so long been heaped upon one of the noblest,most persevering, most disinterested advocates of 'the cause of suffering liberty,The Translator hopes the work will prove acceptable to scholars and thosewho have leisure for the of study history ;and that it will be received bythem as an earnest of his desire to dot something, however little it may be,for the advancement of learning iu our common country.PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.THIS translation, of which two or three editions have been published inEngland, has recently been adoptedas a text-book in Harvard College,Hence it became necessary to reprint it jand the opportunity has ken cimlto revise it, and to adopt the few changes and additions, winch were made byMr. Heeren in the latest edition of his works.Boston, Fcbntwry 12, 1842,