jects, they have a necessary dependance upon and connexion with each other, and fully to embrace the Author's object, ought to be read throughout. The disquisitions on the divisions of Time form one continued series of the same subject, and although discussed separately, require an attention to the whole properly to comprehend each as individually detailed:-In like manner the Ecclesiastical regulations must be consulted as a body, in order to enable the Reader to form a correct judgment of the wise and judicious arrangement made by the Church for circulating a knowledge of the sacred ordinances:-The Romish Festivals have also a mutual coherence with each other; and this observation, in fact, applies to every part of the Work.

In tracing the absurdities and inconsistencies of Mankind through the dark ages of ignorance, a necessity has occurred of adverting to the advantages accruing to modern times, from the suppression of those superstitious usages, which for centuries deformed the Christian Religion; and to awaken a proper sense of those blessings, the Author has described in strong colours the errors from which we are now happily emancipated. Of the follies which he has thus exposed, by far the greater number were practised under the sanction and authority of the POPISH CHURCH; and he has, perhaps, been led more frequently to permit himself to remark upon the antient discipline of that Church, than the respect he bears to many

of its present members, might seem to demand: but he trusts that an anxious desire to discriminate between truth and fiction, will not be mistaken for a disposition to animadvert illiberally upon the principles of the more enlightened of the present day. The superstitious impieties of times long past, the Author is convinced, will find few advocates among those who still are professedly of the same Church, but who, nevertheless, from that cause alone, might, without some explanation, feel themselves involved in one general and indiscriminate censure.

Preface to the Third Edition.

IN presenting to the Public a Third Edition of

this Work, it is thought necessary to notice the circumstances under which it is published.

The rapid circulation of Two large Impressions had induced the Author to prepare a Third; in which are introduced such corrections and additions as suggested themselves, in the short period that elapsed from the publication of the Second Edition.

Mr. BRADY had long been a martyr to acute rheumatism; and by a relapse of that inveterate and excruciating disorder, the publication (although it had received his final revision) was unavoidably retarded. A remission of the disorder with which he had been so bitterly afflicted, at length afforded a very sanguine hope of restoration; and he was enabled to endure removal from his chamber.

pro

But, at the moment, when a manifest and gressive accession of strength, rendered recovery, apparently, no longer doubtful-Mr. BRADY was suddenly snatched away, amidst the congratulations of friends, and in the very bosom and presence of his family. Upon his afflicted widow has

therefore devolved the duty of publishing this work; but, being herself wholly incapacitated by personal feeling-the painful task of detailing the circumstances thus briefly narrated has, at her request, been undertaken by one, who had the eminent satisfaction of enjoying Mr. BRADY'S confidence and friendship.

to the

To the land which gave him birth religion of his fathers-to the laws and constitution of England-he was enthusiastically attached: of this, the Clavis Calendaria presents numerous instances. If, as it has been frequently observed, “A Writer's best monument is his Works" the reputation of Mr. BRADY may securely rest on the Clavis Calendaria—a production not more creditable to the head, than to the heart, of its lamented Author.

In the character of Mr. BRADY were united inflexible integrity, manly candour and sincerity, invincible firmness, and a warmth of heart, which

in

every social relation-in the cause of friendship, or of oppression-has rarely been surpassed.

As a Son, as a Husband, as a Father, and as a Friend, he is beyond even the posthumous praise of him, who, while thus glancing at his many virtues, feels the loss to be irreparable-and in JOHN BRADY may well be said to have been combined all the qualities of a true-born Englishman.

TIME

Is defined by philosophers to be “

a succession of phenomena in the universe" better to be conceived than described, and of which, as Mr. LOCKE hath observed, we can only form an idea "by considering any part of infinite duration as set out by periodical measures." Other and later philosophers, define the nature of TIME in terms somewhat differently expressed, though in meaning precisely the same.

The "measure" of such "part of infinite duration" depending upon motion, the heavenly bodies have, in every age, been selected for that purpose, and the ancients distinguished their different seasons by the appearance of particular constellations; the cosmical rising of the Pleiades they made to denote the commencement of summer, and that of the Dog Star its declination: and by such general regulations alone, ARISTOTLE marked the periods of gestation and migration of animals. Subsequent knowledge enabled man

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