"The plan of the present selection", says the editor", has been, to take such parts as would give a connected history of the Asiatic countries and of Egypt. To this the author was determined by two considerations: first, the growing interest in the history and antiquities of those regions at the present time; and, secondly, that the other Greek and the Roman authors, commonly put into the hands of students, do not cover this ground at all". "The Aegyptiaca and the subsequent portions of the Orientalia will be completed at as early a day as practicable". The oriental history thus to tickle by means of them, and thus to glorify one's self rather than to serve God and one's fellow-men; or the words, being through frequent use deprived of their soul, become at last 'as sounding brass'. To this danger is the clergyman more than others exposed.