This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
(i)


THE

TRANSLATOR'S

PREFACE.

THE Author of the following Work had a share in the education of that amiable Prince, Christian VII. King of Denmark, who lately honoured this nation with a visit. During his residence in the North, our Author Mons. Mallet (who has all the talents of a fine writer) was engaged by the late King Frederick V. to write a History of Denmark in the French Language. By way of Introduction to that History, he drew up these two prefatory Volumes, the merit of which has long been acknowledged in most parts of Europe.

Though intended only as a Preliminary Piece, it has all the merit of a complete independent work; and, except to the natives of Denmark, is much more interesting and entertaining than the History itself, which it was intended to precede. It very early engaged the attention of the present Translator: whose reading having run somewhat in the same track with that of the Author, made him fond of the subject, and

Vol. I.
A 5
tempted