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classed as of the first importance, are now viewed as being of secondary, and even tertiary value. The quarrels of nobles and courtiers, and the petty intrigues of the worthless, are thought less valuable information than the state of the people, and the principles working in and explaining national character.

Then some tact and discrimination had to be used in adapting certain topics for popular and school use, such as the Mythology of Greece, and the state of society in Pagan Rome. It has not appeared to us desirable, as has been done too often in works for general use, and the use of the young, to bring prominently forward the corrupt and the base of all ages, and to taint the mind by dwelling at length on bad examples and evil practices. It has seemed better to pass over such topics with brevity, and to dwell on the true, the good, and the beautiful.

A further point must be noticed. Certain mistaken notions prevail as to the propriety of writing in a very simple, plain style, or down to the level, as this is called, of the young and the unlettered. A little familiarity with human and child nature is enough to show the fallacy of this view. Man and the child like to look up to something above them in style and thought, and view with apathy or contempt what is too familiar. Moreover, the level of human thought and child thought is daily rising, and it is our province to write it up, and not to write it down. It will suffice in this connection to point to Sir Walter Scott, who, beginning to write his "Tales of a

Grandfather" in a very simple, childlike style, found this did not answer his intention, and had to rise to a higher tone.

With this preamble, we leave the books to work their own way. Only let this point, already suggested by the title, be especially kept in view, that these little volumes are Historical Readers, and not Histories, according to the usual fashion of such works. It is hoped that really essential facts are to a great extent noted; but the Readable, or Reader feature has been made the leading consideration.

It is desirable to add that all the descriptions and facts are derived from approved authors, and if exception be taken to any of the statements, the objections are aimed at some of our gravest authorities.

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