Historical collections

Front matter

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Preface

I N presenting these “ Historical Collections ” to the public, the author is well aware of the many imperfections existing in them, some of which are errors of date and spelling of proper names, which occurred through the negligence of the printer in not properly correcting the proof-sheets as marked by the writer. Such errors have been noted in the errata. As regards gram¬ matical accuracy and nicely formed sentences, the writer claims nothing, but believes that facts presented are generally correctly stated.

The work, no doubt, by some will be regarded as diffuse, more so than the subject-matters required, but in that respect it lias been the design, by such illustrations, to explain in many instances the origin of that which now exists, and in other respects to introduce contemporaneous events, explanatory of results which followed.

The gathering of the scraps of history here presented, has been the result of the employment of leisure time not required for service in a mercantile life of active labor through a period of more than forty years, and nearly all arranged in chrono¬ logical order, and written out after the writer had passed the bounds of threescore years and ten.

If these Collections shall be the means of preserving from oblivion any considerable amount of the facts therein contained, so as to enable others to use them better, and more interestingly, at some future period, the writer will have satisfied the extent of his aspirations.

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PREFACE.

He is under many obligations to parties who have kindly granted aid in this behalf, and for other historical matters now in manuscript, of a more general character, which are de¬ signed for a third volume of equal extent, and which may or may not appear in print hereafter.

It may further be observed, that the bringing forth of these volumes, and the labor and expenditure in aid of establishing the Public Library, Reading-room and Museum in his native town of Southbridge, for the benefit of the inhabitants of that vicinity, are the result of a design contemplated many years since.

However these pages may be regarded by the public, they go forth as a work that has caused much labor and diligent research, and whatever may be their worth or value, they are to his native place and vicinity respectfully inscribed, by

THE AUTHOR,

New York, July 4, 1874.

Contents To Vol. I

REFORMATION IN FRANCE.

PA(xE

Explanation page, ......... 9

Contents

First religious war,..

Second religious war, ........

Third religious war, .