PREFACE. "LEWIS, I find you pretend to give the Duke notions of mathematics and stuff," angrily exclaimed the stately governess of the little son of Anne, afterwards Queen of England, to a poor Welsh youth, who, in his recreations with juvenile royalty, had unwittingly imparted the elements of much useful knowledge. Lewis Jenkins had no other defence to make but this: "I only repeat stories from history, to divert and assist the young Duke in his plays." I may, perhaps, be permitted to shelter myself under a similar apology; my only pretension being that of poor Lewis: "I repeat stories from history, to divert and assist the young in their plays." |