8

PREFACE

I NOW discharge my promise, and
complete my design, of writing the
History of the Decline and Fall of
the Roman Empire, both in the West
and the East. The whole period extends
from the age of Trajan and the Anto-
nines, to the taking of Constantinople
by Mahomet the second; and includes
a review of the Crusades and the state
of Tome during the middle ages. Since
the publication of the first volume,
twelve years have elapsed; twelve years,
according to my wish, "of health, of
"leasure, and of perseverance." I
may now congratulate my deliverance
from a long and laborious service, and
my satisfaction will be pure and perfect,
if the public favour should be extended
to the conclusion of my work.
It was my first intention to have
collected under one view, the numerous
authros, of every age and language,
a