New Book by one of the Contributors to ‘The Reason Why’ Series, and Assistant Editor of ‘The Dictionary of Daily Wants.’
Now ready, 1 vol. crown 8vo. pp. 384, 3s. 6d. cloth.
The Historical Finger-Post: A Handy Book of Terms, Phrases, Epithets, Cognomens, Allusions, &c., in connection with Universal History. By Edward Shelton, Assistant Editor of ‘The Dictionary of Daily Wants,’ &c. &c.
This book will be found to contain nearly three thousand explanatory articles, some idea of the varied nature of which may be gathered from the following list of its sections:—
Section 1. Wars, Battles, Naval and Military Expeditions, &c. 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:
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.