Page:The Sources of Standard English.djvu/504

Rh for other readers as well, and it is hoped that this may be the case with the little books the first instalment of which is now given to the world. The General Sketch will be followed by a series of special histories of particular countries, which will take for granted the main principles laid down in the General Sketch. In every case the results of the latest historical research will be given in as simple a form as may be, and the several numbers of the series will all be so far under the supervision of the Editor as to secure general ac&shy;curacy of statement and a general harmony of plan and sentiment; but each book will be the original work of its author, who will be responsible for his own treatment of smaller details. The Editor himself undertakes the histories of Rome and Switzerland, while the others have been put into the hands of various competent and skilful writers.

''The first volume is meant to be introductory to the whole course. It'' is intended to give, as its name implies, a general sketch of the history of the civilized worlds that is, of Europe, and of the lands which have drawn ''their civilization from Europe. Its object is to trace out the general rela&shy;tions'' of different periods and different countries to one another, without ''going minutely into the affairs of any particular country. This is an'' object of the first importance, for without clear notions of general history, ''the history of particular countries can never be rightly understood. The'' narrative extends from the earliest movements of the Aryan peoples, down ''to the latest events both on the Eastern and Western Continents. The'' book consists of seventeen moderately sized chapters, each chapter being divided into a number of short numbered paragraphs, each with a title ''prefixed clearly indicative of the subject of the paragraph. “It supplies'' ''the great want of a good foundation for historical teaching. The scheme'' is an excellent one, and this instalment has been executed in a way that promises much for the volumes that are yet to appear.” — .

I. . By Third Edition. 18mo. cloth. 3s. 6d.

II. . By. 18mo. 2s. 6d.

“Freedom from prejudice, simplicity of style, and accuracy of statement, ''are the characteristics of this little volume. It is a trustworthy text-book''