_The Outlines of History_, in 1 vol. (forming part of Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia) by Mr. KEIGHTLY, author of a learned and highly useful work on Grecian Mythology, is a convenient abridgement. TYTLER'S _Elements of General History_, improved and continued by Dr. NARES. Lond. 1825, best edition; owes its reputation and success to the want of a better work on the subject.] 3. _Helps._ Among the works subservient to the study of ancient history, the first rank is justly due to the synchronistic tables. # D. G. J. HUEBLER, _Synchronistic Tables of the History of Nations_; arranged principally according to GATTERER'S _History of the World_. In two numbers. Second edit. 1799 and 1804. 1. The object of POLITICAL HISTORY is to recount the destinies of nations, both in respect to their foreign relations and internal affairs. In regard to domestic concerns, one of its most important objects is the _history of governments_: in respect to external affairs, it comprises not only an account of the wars, but likewise of the friendly relations and intercourse with other states. Observe here the difference between universal history, or general history of the human race, and the history of nations; the latter forms part of the former. Observe also the difference between political history and that of civilization, or of man as a human being: the latter is merely the history of man, as man, without regard to political circumstances. 2. Universal political history is usually divided into three parts: _ancient history_, that of the _middle ages_, and _modern history_. The first extends to the fall of the Roman empire in the west, which took place towards the close of the fifth century of the christian era; the second extends to the discovery of America, and of a passage by sea to the East Indies, about the end of the fifteenth century; the third extends from the commencement of the sixteenth century to the present time. The propriety of the above division is evinced by the nature of the events which form these epochs. The student will easily perceive that the division of history, into that before and after the birth of Christ, is not judicious. 3. From the definition just given, it follows, that political history does not commence till after the first formation of states. Whatever is known, therefore, of the period previous to this, or may be gathered from traditions, respecting individuals or tribes, or their migrations, affinities, or discoveries, forms no part of political history, but must be referred to the general history of man.