cline to the extreme of explaining too much, rather than to that of leaving too much unexplained.

The little engravings with which this volume is accompanied will easily be recognised as taken from Mr. Strutt's work, and from other books of acknowledged authority.

These asterisks were originally inserted for the purpose of showing that the name of Mrs. MARKHAM was merely assumed. The author was Elizabeth, wife of the Rev. John Penrose, and lived at Bracebridge, near Lincoln. There can now be no reason why the natural and kindly desire which has been expressed by many young readers of her Histories to have this information should not be gratified. It was, at first, suppressed by the writer's unwillingness to protrude herself in any degree on the public. Mrs. Penrose was second daughter of the Rev. Dr. Cartwright, the inventor of the power-loom, and author of ⚫ Armine and Elvira,' and other poems. She died at Lincoln, January 24, 1837, after a long and painful illness, which she supported with the greatest and most Christian cheerfulness.

N. B. Both this little History, and the History of France by the same author, have been carefully revised and corrected in the editions now published. A few explanatory notes have also been added, especially in places where the lapse of thirty years since the first publication has seemed to require them.

March, 1853.

(vii

INTRODUCTION.

MR. and Mrs. Markham had three children, whom they took great pleasure in instructing. Richard, the eldest, was a sensible, clear-headed boy, who was always eager to obtain information on every subject that came in his way. When he was about ten years old he became very inquisitive about the history of his own country, and begged hard to be allowed to read Hume's History of England.' His father consented, and he began it accordingly: but he soon found in it so many words and things he could not understand, that he was quite discouraged; and, bringing the book back, said, with tears in his eyes, that he believed he had better give it up till he was older.

ham;

On this, his mother, who was present, laid by her work, and said," My dear boy, rather than that you should be disappointed in your ardent desire to learn something of English history, I will try what I can do for you myself; and, perhaps, I may be able to compile from other histories one that you may find easier to comprehend."—"Thank you, thank you, dear mamma," cried Richard, in a transport of joy: "will you begin to-day?"—"You must not be too impatient," said Mrs. Mark66 you must remember that I shall have a great deal to do. I must read over several books very carefully, and I must then select, as well as I can, what I think will entertain and instruct you. However, I promise to begin as soon as possible; and whenever I shall have finished a chapter, I will read it to you in the evening, instead of telling you one of those stories which you have heard so often. After every chapter I will answer any questions you may ask concerning the subject of it, and the period to which it relates:-but you must not interrupt me while I am reading."

Richard ran to inform his brother of this kind promise; and

as soon as the first chapter was completed, and the welcome hour was arrived of their mother's coming into the drawingroom after dinner, the two boys eagerly placed themselves by her side. Even little Mary, too, though she was very young, seated herself on a footstool at Mrs. Markham's feet, and listened with great attention.