HISTORY OF ENGLAND. BY LADY CALLCOTT. MAGNA A NEW EDITION.-FIFTY-FOURTH THOUSAND. LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1856. Price Half-a-Crown. 226.C.3. The right of Translation is reserved. 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 |