treated within the limits of a small volume, none can be exhaustively dealt with. It is impossible for any writer, however skilful, to relate historical facts in a form so condensed as that of the average text-book, and at the same time to give them that living interest so necessary in holding the attention of young readers. The text-book is useful and indispensable; it is the index that points to the vast wealth of knowledge that may be found in our historical literature; it furnishes the groundwork on which rests the entire structure of historic knowledge. But unfortunately the text-book too often is little more than a chronicle of events, an array of dates and facts, a skeleton without flesh, without life, without soul. Such a book is ill adapted to awaken an interest in historical study, and can be used successfully in the schools only in connection with other works as supplementary reading. Used in this way the skeleton of the text-book may be clothed with flesh and have breathed into it the breath of life.

Our learned and more exhaustive historical works are beyond the reach of most busy peo

ple, nor are they adapted to use in the schools. Between these two extremes, the condensed text-book and the ponderous volumes of the historian, we find many books of great value biographies, memoirs, histories of limited periods or of particular localities - but none of these, as far as the author knows, is fitted for the use of schools or was prepared with that end in view.

This work covers a field not hitherto covered. It has been written for the general reader, as well as for use in schools of the grammar-school grade and of the grades immediately above it. It is hoped that the book may also be found a pleasant review to the busy teacher, who has many things to teach and who finds it impossible to become a specialist in everything.

The period covered is the first seventy years of our national history; but no attempt to give a connected history of that period has been made. At the same time much care has been taken to show the bearing of one great event upon another, their causes and results, and the part each bore in making our civilization what it is.

The

The subjects treated in the various chapters have been selected with the utmost care. aim has been to choose out, not the dramatic and exciting, but the strategic points, the pivots on which the ponderous machinery of our history has turned.

This is true of most of the

chapters. A few, however, such as "Washington's Inauguration," "Conspiracy of Aaron Burr," "The Campaign of 1840," and the "Underground Railroad," have been chosen with a view of picturing the state of society at the time treated.

In order that every important aspect of our national growth be presented to the reader, the subjects chosen are as unlike in character as practicable, and the events have been related with greater detail than is possible in the ordinary school history. This has been done at the sacrifice of leaving out many subjects of almost equal importance with those selected. Minor incidents and details in history, often insignificant in themselves, are, like illustrations in a sermon or lecture, useful for the light they throw on more important matters.

The authorities consulted in preparing this

work are far more numerous than indicated in the foot-note references. Those given are chiefly the works most likely to be accessible to the reader who may be stimulated to further research.

PHILADELPHIA, PA.,
May, 1899.

H. W. E.