LITTLE ARTHUR’S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
LITTLE ARTHUR’S
HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
In Preparation.
LITTLE ARTHUR’S HISTORY OF ROME. LITTLE ARTHUR’S HISTORY OF FRANCE.
The Tower of London.
LITTLE ARTHUR’S
HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
BY LADY CALLCOTT.
NEW EDITION.
WITH THIRTY-SIX ILLUSTRATIONS
NEW YORK: THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO., No. 13 Astor Place.
Copyright, Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. 1884.
TO MOTHERS.
Though I have not the happiness to be a mother, my love of children has led me to think a good deal about them, their amusements, and their lessons.
This little HISTORY was written for a real little Arthur, and I have endeavoured to write it nearly as I would tell it to an intelligent child. I well remember what I wanted to be told myself, in addition to what I found in my lesson-book, when I was first allowed to read the History of England, and I hope I have answered most of the questions I recollect to have wished to ask.
I may have failed in satisfying the almost boundless inquiries of intelligent children; and I could wish that the mother or governess, who may put this little book into the hands of her pupils, would read each chapter herself before she gives it to a child, that she may be ready with answers to such questions as the chapter may suggest.
Perhaps I have not made my small volume amusing enough to answer the purpose of those who wish children to learn everything in play. I do not know that I could have done so, if I wished it: there are some things to be learned from the History of England, that are of some import to the future life of a child, and are no play: things, independent of the change of kings, or the fighting of battles, or even of the pathetic tales in which every true history is rich.
These things I have tried to teach in a way to engage the attention, and to fix them in the memory, till advancing age, and the reading of history in detail, shall call them into use.
Next to the study of the Sacred Scriptures, I have always held the history of our own country to be important in education, particularly in that of boys.
To teach the love of our country is almost a religious duty. In the Scriptures how often is it referred to! How many beautiful passages in the Psalms encourage it! “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.” But above all other tender expressions is that of the blessed Jesus, addressed to Jerusalem and its inhabitants: “How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”
Let no one fear that to cultivate patriotism is to make men illiberal in feeling towards mankind in general. Is any man the worse citizen for being a good son, or brother, or father, or husband?
I am indeed persuaded that the well-grounded love of our own country is the best security for that enlightened philanthropy which is aimed at as the perfection of moral education.
This is the feeling that has guided me in writing “Little Arthur’s History of England.” If it should happily lay the foundation for patriotism in one single Englishman, my wishes will be answered, my best hopes fulfilled.
M. C.
CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
LITTLE ARTHUR’S
History of England.
