tions. It may not be a literal copy, a servile imitation; but there is little doubt that our Declaration of Independence will finally enter, in spirit and potential influence, into the intimate structure of all governments. It is the Course of Human Progress, and the important elements that were successively added as each leading phase of civilization appeared, that is endeavored to be traced in the Historical Review of the First Part of this book. While following the general march of events chronologically, we have stopped here and there to take a general survey, in order the better to understand the significance of detached facts, or to examine a new influence that enters among the forces moulding the future. Our space did not allow an exhaustive process; nor was it desirable. We have taken note of only the more important landmarks of Progress. Too much detail would confuse the mind by engaging it in an intricate mass of facts. It is the thread of events, that joins the nations and ages together, or the channel by which they sent down to our day-from Asia to Europe, and from Europe to America each their special contribution to the political wisdom and the free institutions of America, that we have endeavored to find. We hope we have not underrated any people or any time, and that we have not overrated the value and glory of America. America is yet young. Its founders, the authors of its Constitution, were unaware of the singular excellence and nobility of their work. Like all other people, they built according to their genius and instincts. Time only could show whether they built for immortality. They feared and trembled over their work; but Time has set on it his seal of approval. Our people are busy using their liberties and energies, each for his individual benefit, as is quite right and proper; since the welfare of individuals makes the prosperity of the community. But a government left to take care of itself is prone to do that work only too well. We have done well and wisely in important crises; but a more intelligent and constant watchfulness over the ordinary course of public affairs would have been still better. It is plain that the general mind among us has grown clearer and more accurate in its judgments as experience has accumulated, for the original direction toward popular freedom has not changed. Various incongruities have been laid aside and oversights corrected, the severe strain of civil war and an unheard of rapidity of growth have not shaken, but more clearly revealed the strength and unity of the nation. Yet, more intelligence and more care would have saved us many shocks and made our success more pronounced and more brilliant. "Knowledge is power," when wisely applied; and a more accurate acquaintance with their government and its history will enable American Citizens to mould it more wisely still, to correct all defects of administration, and to speedily reach that minimum of governmental interference with the efforts and interests of the citizens which shall give them the fullest liberty consistent with security and surrender the whole round of human life, as completely as possible, to the beneficent action of natural law. C. B. SECTION I. The Dawn of History - Uncertainty of Tradition-Aid afforded by recent studies-Ethnology, Philology, etc.- Primitive Home of Mankind-The three great races-The first Migrations Commencement of Civilization— China - The Euphrates - The Ham- SECTION II. Direction of Pre-historic Growth-Rudeness of early races. SECTION III. Gradual Development - Condition of the first Men - Es- SECTION IV. Ancient Monarchies - Five Monarchies on the Euphrates. and Tigris-The Scythian, the two Hamitic, the Assyrian and the Medo-Persian Monarchies - Testimony of the ruins - Mysterious and SECTION V. The Grecian States-Origin, intelligence and vigor of the Greek race Their Mythology and Heroic History - Their opposition to the dangerous centralizing tendencies of Monarchy-Greek Repub- lics - Colonization - Sparta and Athens Commencement of Au- thentic History Foundation of Rome - Chronological review during SECTION VI. The Roman Republic Character of the Romans - Greeks - SECTION VII. Greece and Rome-The influence of each on the future SECTION VIII. Decay of the Republic - Unhappy effects of conquest. Wars-Marius, Sylla, Crassus, Pompey, Julius Cæsar - The Senate SECTION IX. The Roman Empire - Impossibility of restoring the Re- public - Triumvirate and wars of Augustus, Antony and Lepidus —Au- SECTION X. Influence of Christianity-The Jewish State - Influence on SECTION XI. The services of Great Men to Mankind - Difficulties of SECTION XII. The Christian Era - Chronological history of the Emper- rors - The triumph of Christianity and its corruption - The fall of the SECTION XIII. Rise of Modern Nations- Incursions of Barbarians— SECTION XIV. The Feudal System - Results from the condition of the Empire and the character of the invaders - Rise and character of Chiv- SECTION XV. The Liberties of the People-Influence of the Crusades- SECTION XVI. The Situation on the Discovery of America. SECTION XVII. Conclusion - Summary of Progress-The work assigned CHAPTER II. Geographical ignorance of the Ancients - Columbus and his Ideas - His difficulty in getting a hearing - Queen Isabella of Spain -Sets sail for the New World-Why he thought it Asia-Origin of the name America. Various Discoveries - Sir Humphrey Gilbert fails twice to establish a Col- British resolve to tax Colonies-Folly of that measure-Resistance in the Colonies-British repeal the tax, BUT CLAIM THE RIGHT-Indig- nation in the Colonies-Taxes again tried-Soldiers sent to Boston-- "Boston Massacre "-Tax on Tea-Colonies Organize against it—" Bos- ton Tea Party"-Philadelphia-Boston Port Bill-First Congress- "American Association "-Battle of Lexington-Second Congress- Siege of Boston-Bunker Hill-British driven out-Battles in Canada. Battle of Long Island-Silent retreat at night-Washington driven across the Delaware-His success in the Jerseys-Battles near Philadelphia- Surrender of Burgoyne-Treaty with the French-French fleet-British evacuate Philadelphia-Washington's success again in the Jerseys- Southern War-Defeat of Gates-Treason of Arnold-Gen. Green and Cornwallis-Lafayette and Cornwallis - Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown-Review of the War - Financial Difficulties-Character of |