بل HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY FROM THE ESTATE OF 273288 missing Entered, according to the act of Congress, in the year 1844, by m the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the REED & CUNNINGHAM PRINTERS. PREFACE. THE intention of this work is so fully set forth in the title page, that a preface is almost wholly superfluous. It is enough to remark, that the passion for the marvellous implanted in our constitution by the Supreme Being, is a harmless one, which may be gratified without injury to the mind. Shall this be done by fiction, or by truth? I answer, by neither, to the entire exclusion of the other; but in the present rage for fiction, it is but fair to give truth a hearing once in a while. When the general reader is wearied with the wonders of fiction, I would let his mind seek a little repose on the Wonders of History. Here he may learn that the real annals of the world present examples of brilliant characters, great actions, and remarkable events, which leave the inventions of the novelists far behind them. The real dramas performed on the great theatre of life, outshine all the gorgeous pageants of the mimic stage; and the epics of history far surpass the masterly creations of the epic poets. I have sought to furnish a specimen of what history could do in the production of wonders. It is but a specimen—it pretends to be no more. I have limited it to the Old World, reserving for a separate volume the Wonders of History of the New World. Philadelphia, June 18th, 1844. PAGE Second Persian invasion of Greece, Unworthy conduct of Lacedæmon-Taking of Athens, Preparations of Darius for a second invasion of Greece Revolt of Egypt-Death of Darius, Magnificent preparations of Xerxes-Submission of Egypt Noble devotion of Sperthias and Boulis, Battles of Thermopyla-Self-devotion of Leonidas with the Sea-fights off Artemisium-Euboea overrun by the Persians, Disputes in the fleet, and conduct of Themistocles, Aristides, Battle of Salamis, Return of Xerxes, Operations of Mardonius, 145 146 148 ib. 148 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 160 Resolute fidelity of the Athenians, and backwardness of the Transactions in Sicily-Victories over the Carthaginians, 178 179 |