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Lives of the British admirals: containing a new and accurate naval history, from the earliest periods

Lives of the British admirals: containing a new and accurate naval history, from the earliest periods

Item Information

Title

Lives of the British admirals: containing a new and accurate naval history, from the earliest periods

Creator

John Campbell

Publisher

Alexander Donaldson

Date

1785

Rights

In the public domain and may be used without copyright restriction

Identifier

https://exhibits.lib.unc.edu/items/show/7041

Text

________________________________________
____________________________________________
LIVES

OF THE

ADMIRALS

INCLUDING A NEW AND ACCURATE

NAVAL HISTORY.
____________________________________________

CHAP. I.

The naval history of the ancient Britons, before they
    were invaded by the Romans, during the continu-
    ance of their empire in Britain, and afterwards to
    the coming of the Saxons.

Containing the transactions of about 1740 years.

THE ancient history of Britain, or rather of the Bri-
tons, before the coming of Caesar into this island, is,
we must allow, not a little obscure, as well in respect
to their exploits by sea, as in regard to the succession of their
princes, and the settlement of their civil government at home;
but this matter is carried much too far, when it is asserted, that
the histories of those times deserve not either reading, or no-
tice; that they are mere fables, and idle tales, void of all au-
thority or probability.
    It is true, that this lofty style is highly taking with critics,
who very readily reject what they cannot understand; but this
may be sometimes too hastily done, as I conceive it is here.
Camdena disliked the British history of Geoffrey of Mon-

    a Britannia, p. 6, 6. edit. 1594. 4to.  See a Refutation of Camden's objecvtions
in Mr. Thomson's copious preface to his translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's
history; and the most learned Sir John Price's defence of that history.
    Vol. I.                         A                           mouth,