Part 39

A FEW REPRESENTATIVE OPINIONS.

Hon. E. J. Phelps, recently United States Minister to Great Britain: In my opinion, the author has done extremely well a much-needed work, in presenting in so terse, clear, and available form the principal points in that greatest of all histories, the common property and most useful study of the English-speaking race.

Professor Goldwin Smith: The book, besides being very attractive in appearance, seems to be very suitable for the purpose in view, viz., to present school pupils with a clear and intelligent idea of the main facts of English history in connection with the social and industrial development of the nation.

Elisha B. Andrews, President of Brown University: I do not remember to have seen any book before which sets forth the leading facts of English History so succinctly, and at the same time so interestingly and clearly.

A. L. Perry, Prof. of Political Economy, Williams College: I have never seen anything at all equal to it for the niche it was intended to fill.

J. B. Clark, Prof. of History, Smith College: I especially like its introduction of matter relating to the life of the people, in a way that seems to make the narrative less dry, rather than more so, as so often happens.

Jas. F. Colby, Prof. of Law and Political Science, Dartmouth College: Its title is a true description of its contents. Its author shows sense of proportion, and wisely gives prominence to economic facts and the development of constitutional principles.

P. V. N. Myers, Prof. in Univ. of Cincinnati: The book was an admirable one as first issued, but the careful revision and the addition of maps and tables have added greatly to its value. In my judgment it is by far the best English History for schoolroom use now before the public.

W. F. Allen, late Prof. of History, University of Wis., Madison: As I have said in relation to the earlier edition, the author has succeeded in an unusual degree in telling the story of English History in an interesting and suggestive manner, keeping clear of the prevailing fault of loading his pages with unessential names and dates.

F. B. Palmer, Principal of State Normal School, Fredonia, N.Y.: I have not examined anything that seems to me equal to it for a class in English History.

John Fiske, Prof. of History, Washington University: It seems to me excellent.

Frances A. Cooke, Teacher of History, Penn Charter School, Philadelphia, Pa.: My verdict on Montgomery's History is unqualified approval. I have not seen a text-book upon English History so well adapted to school use.

C. B. Gilbert, Supt. Pub. Schools, St. Paul, Minn.: In many respects I consider it the best text-book on English History for high schools that I have seen. Its arrangement is excellent, its style clear and very attractive.

Frank E. Plummer, Prin. of High School, Des Moines, Ia.: I examined it very carefully, and pronounce it the best English History for high-school use of any with which I am familiar.

The Leading Facts of French History. By D. H. MONTGOMERY, Author of The Leading Facts of English History, English History Reader, etc. 12mo. Cloth. vi + 321 pages, with fourteen black and colored maps, and full tables. Mailing Price, $1.25; for Introduction, $1.12.

The object of this volume is to present, within the moderate compass of two hundred and ninety-two pages, the most important events of the history of France, selected, arranged, and treated according to the soundest principles of historical study, and set forth in a clear and attractive narrative.

The respective influences of the Celtic race, and of the Roman and the German conquest and occupation of Gaul are clearly shown.

Charlemagne's work and the subsequent growth of feudal institutions are next considered.

The breaking up of the feudal system, with the gradual consolidation of the provinces into one kingdom, and the development of the sentiment of nationality, are traced and illustrated.

The growth of the absolutism of the crown, the interesting and important relations of France to America, and the causes of the French Revolution, are fully presented.

The career of Napoleon and its effects on France and Europe are carefully examined.

Finally, a sketch is given of the stages of the historical progress of France in connection with the state of the Republic to-day.

G. W. Knight, Prof. of History, Ohio State University: I do not know another book which, in anything like the same space, conveys for youthful students so good a notion of French events.

A. H. Fetterolf, Pres. of Girard College: I like it very much. It is an excellent book and I trust soon to have it used in Girard College.

Edward G. Bourne, Prof. of History, Adelbert College: I have no hesitation in pronouncing it the best French history of its scope that I have seen. It is clear and accurate, and shows unusual skill in the selection of matter as well as judgment in emphasizing the political significance of events.

The Nation, New York: It is a marked advance on any available work of its scope. The author has shown competent judgment in the choice of his facts and his style is clear and interesting. The proportions are well observed, and the political significance of events is given due prominence in his treatment. So far as we have noticed, unusual accuracy has been achieved.

Reference History of the United States. By HANNAH A. DAVIDSON, M.A., Teacher of History, Belmont School, California. 12mo. Cloth. xii + 190 pages. By mail, 90 cents; for introduction, 80 cents.

This book, which is designed expressly for schools of advanced grade, high schools, academies, and seminaries, is an attempt to connect history teaching more closely in method and matter with the teaching and study of history in the college and the university. In the best institutions the study of history is no longer the study of a text-book. The library is the workshop, the best books that have been written are the tools; the teacher is the guide, and the pupil's mind must do the work.