The author of the present work is very conscious of the fact, and yet is reluctant to introduce his book by any such repellent title as "A Summary," or "An Outline of English History." Such titles seem on the face of them to imply that the element of interest and the romance inseparable from the life and doings of individuals are excluded, and that an amplified chronological table has been made to do duty for a history. The record of our national life is so full, so long, so crowded with incident, so elaborate, that even great histories, written in many volumes by master hands, can only illustrate and cannot exhaust the theme to which they are devoted. To apply the term "A History of England" to a single small volume may seen presumptuous. In adding yet one more volume to the great library of English historical literature, some explanation, or perhaps indeed some apology, is due from the author. How far success has attended his efforts, the fortunes of this volume, when launched on its career, will show.Ī few words may be permitted with regard to the character of the book itself. To supply such a book has been the sole aim of the author. And while it is believed that the present volume may to some extent meet the requirements of schools and of young readers at their homes, it is believed that it may also be found useful to a still larger circle of readers.Ī small book, written in simple language, sufficiently full to serve for reference, and at the same time sufficiently interesting to be read as well as to be consulted, a book within the reach of all in matter of price, and rendered attractive by good illustrations copied from first-rate originals, is what very many English men and women, both young and old, undoubtedly require. In many homes also there is undoubtedly a demand for a History of England of manageable size at a reasonable cost, and written in such a manner as to attract and not to repel young readers. Those who are acquainted with the teaching of history in many of our public and private schools must be aware that the subject often fails to interest, and that some of the historical summaries now in use, though accurate and admirable in many respects, are read as a task and not as a pleasure. At the same time there are undoubtedly many thousands of persons who have neither the means to purchase, nor the leisure to peruse, the great standard works with which the genius and industry of modern historians have happily endowed us, and who yet wish to know something of their country's past, and to understand how, from very small beginnings, our nation has achieved its present great position among the peoples of the earth. It would be idle to pretend that the supply is not large and in many respects adequate. There is, and it may be hoped there will always be, a demand for a history of England. To William Edward Arnold-Forster, for whose benefit and instruction it was originally designed, and to whose friendly criticism of its proof-sheets the author has frequently been indebted, this book is dedicated by his affectionate father. Patrick was added, and thus the Union Jack was made up. In 1801, after the Union with Ireland, the Red Cross of St. George but it was not until the Act of Union between England and Scotland in 1707 that the flag containing the Crosses of England and Scotland became by law the National Flag. of Scotland to the throne of England, under the title of James the 1st, King of Great Britain and Ireland, the White Cross (or Saltire) of St. ![]() When the Crowns of England and Scotland were united at the accession of James the VI. George by itself was the Flag of England. In the early history of England, the Red Cross of St. The Union Jack is made up of the three Crosses of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and is thus truly the Flag of the Union. Arnold-Forster, Author of "The Citizen Reader," "Things New and Old," etc.Ī list of the various countries, islands,
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