A HISTORY OF FRANCE, FROM THE CONQUEST OF GAUL BY JULIUS CÆSAR ΤΟ THE REIGN OF LOUIS PHILIPPE: WITH CONVERSATIONS AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER. BY MRS. MARKHA M. Elizabeth C Pewr PREPARED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS BY THE ADDITION OF A BY JACOB ABBOTT. NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 82 CLIFF STREET. 1848. しいけ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, by HARPER & BRothers, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR. Letter from Richard Markham to his Mother. DEAR MAMMA, I BELIEVE I told you in my last letter, that George and I are removed into a higher class; but I forgot to say that one of the advantages of our promotion is, that we are allowed access to a school library of all sorts of useful and amusing books, which Dr. has formed for the use of the upper boys. The first book I happened to take out was Turner's Tour in Normandy, a most entertaining book. If you have not read it, pray send for it. There is a great deal in it about the old Norman kings of England, which, thanks to the history of England that you wrote for us when we were little boys, I understood perfectly; but there are also several allusions to French history, which I am obliged to pass over without comprehending; so that I lose a great deal of pleasure. Now, my dear mamma, George and I have a favor to ask of you, which is, that you will be so kind as to write a history of France for us against we come home at the holidays. For, say the truth, we both of us feel quite ashamed of knowing so little of the history of a people who are our nearest neighbors, and with whom we have often had so much to do. to Pray let me have an immediate answer; for George and I are very impatient to know whether you will grant us this request. With love and duty to papa, and love to dear little Mary, I am, my dear mamma, Your dutiful and most affectionate Son, Mrs. Markham, in Answer. MY DEAREST BOY, You know that your father and I have no wish more at heart than to promote the improvement and happiness of our children. I shall, therefore, have real pleasure in complying with your wishes, as far as iny powers and opportunities will permit; but you must give me more time for my task than, in your inpatience. your. seem willing to allow for I shall have many books to read and refer to; and the more, because the French literature abounds with memoirs, which are not less entertaining, nor indeed instructive, than regular histories. Be assured, however, that I will do my best to make my little compilation worth your acceptance; and that, if I fail, it will not be for want of industry, nor from a want of desire to give you pleasure. Accept the prayers and best wishes of your father and mother for your health and happiness, with the kind love of your sister, and believe me ever, my dear Richard, Your affectionate Mother, *** ****. |