Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/42

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PREFACE. Ixi

being supplied with matter from the most authentic sources.

The map prefixed to the first volume is taken from that published by Father Chamich in bis enlarged his- tory, and appears to be correct.

In conclusion, I beg to offer the present translation to the reading public with the greatest diffidence, hoping that it will be kindly received and read by them as the production of a foreigner, whose knowledge of the English language must of necessity be imperfect. The publication of this work will, 1 hope, afibrd an ample field to the historian, the divine, the poet, and the observer of human life and manners, to exercise their talents in their different departments, upon the events that are here recorded of the once great and happy land of Armenia. I sincerely hope, — ^and every Christian and philanthropist ought to hope, — that the present translation will excite in the breasts of Christians of every denomination a feeling of sympathy for the fate of my oppressed country, and rouse the dormant embers of patriotism in the bosoms of my expatriated countrymen to exert all their power for the regeneration of Armenia.

Johannes AvdalL

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