Part 2

REMOTE CAUSES OF REVOLUTION.

Long reign of Louis XV. Decline of French military power Loss of colonial possessions Cardinal Fleury Duke of Orleans Derangement of the finances Injustice of feudal privileges John Law Mississippi scheme Bursting of the bubble Excessive taxation Worthlessness of the nobility Their effeminacy and hypocrisy Character of the King Corruption of his court The Jesuits Death of the King The reign of court mistresses Madame de Pompadour Extravagance of the aristocracy Improvements of Paris Fall of the Jesuits The Philosophers and their writings,--Voltaire, Rousseau Accumulating miseries and disgraceful government

PETER THE GREAT.

HIS SERVICES TO RUSSIA.

State of Russia on the accession of Peter the Great The necessity for a great ruler to arise Early days of the Czar Peter Accession to the throne Lefort Origin of a navy Seizure of Azof Military reform Peter sets out on his travels Works as a carpenter in Holland Mentchikof Peter visits England Visits Vienna Completion of the apprenticeship of Peter He abolishes the Streltzi Various other reforms Opposition of the clergy War with Charles XII. of Sweden Battle of Narva Siege of Pultowa Peter invades Turkey His imprudence and rashness Saved by the sagacity of his wife Catherine Foundation of St. Petersburg Second tour of Europe Misconduct and fate of Alexis Coronation of Catherine I. Character of Peter His great services to Russia

FREDERIC THE GREAT.

THE PRUSSIAN POWER.

Characteristics of the man Education of Frederic II. His character Becomes King Seizure of a part of Liège Seizure of Silesia Maria Theresa Visit of Voltaire Friendship between Voltaire and Frederic Coalition against Frederic Seven Years' War Carlyle's History of Frederic Empress Elizabeth of Russia Decisive battles of Rossbach, Luthen, and Zorndorf Heroism and fortitude of Frederic Results of the Seven Years' War Partition of Poland Development of the resources of Prussia Public improvements General services of Frederic to his country His character His ultimate influence

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

VOLUME VIII.

Frederic the Great Reproaching his Generals at Köben After the painting by Arthur Kampf.

Embarkation of Anglo-Saxons for the Conquest of England After the painting by H. Merté.

Queen Elizabeth After the "Ermine" portrait by F. Zucchero.

Last Moments of Queen Elizabeth After the painting by Paul Delaroche.

The Morning after the Massacre of St. Bartholomew After the painting by Ed. Debat-Ponsan.

Henry of Navarre and La Belle Fosseuse After the painting by A.P.E. Morlon.

The Imperial Counsellors are Thrown Out of the Window by the Bohemian Delegates After the painting by V. Brozik.

Cardinal Richelieu After the painting by Ph. de Champaign, National Gallery, London.

Richelieu Watches the Siege Operations from the Dam at Rochelle After the painting by Henri Motte.

Oliver Cromwell After the painting by Pieter van der Picas.

Louis XIV. and Mlle. de la Valliere After the painting by A.P.E. Morlon.

Peter the Great After a Contemporaneous Engraving.

Peter the Great Learns the Trade of Ship-Carpentry at Zaardam After the painting by Felix Cogen.

Frederic the Great After the painting by W. Camphausen.

ALFRED THE GREAT.

A.D. 849-901.

THE SAXONS IN ENGLAND.

Alfred is one of the most interesting characters in all history for those blended virtues and talents which remind us of a David, a Marcus Aurelius, or a Saint Louis,--a man whom everybody loved, whose deeds were a boon, whose graces were a radiance, and whose words were a benediction; alike a saint, a poet, a warrior, and a statesman. He ruled a little kingdom, but left a great name, second only to Charlemagne, among the civilizers of his people and nation in the Middle Ages. As a man of military genius he yields to many of the kings of England, to say nothing of the heroes of ancient and modern times.