Willis' historical reader, based on The great events of history, from the creation of man till the present time

Preface

To give in a series of pictures such a connected view of the Christian Era as may be pleasantly readable and easily remembered, is the aim of this book.

Many pupils leave school — some students even leave college — with great gaps in their knowledge of History. There are thousands whose knowledge of Europe between the Fall of Rome and the Reformation is confined to a few misty, floating ideas about Charlemagne, the Crusades, and Rienzi. This is partly owing to the study of History in schools being confined, in many cases, to the beaten round of Britain, Greece, and Rome ; and partly to the fact that most " Outlines of General History " take but a slight hold of the mind. Professing to give in complete detail the History of every land in the world, they are often, however valuable as books of reference, worse than useless for class purposes. When we, whose minds are ripe and strong, consider how little of Gibbon or Macaulay, we can remember beyond their very brilliant passages, we shall at once see the folly of expecting young and tender memories to retain more than the Great Events of History. What these Great Events are, the young need to be told, or else their after-reading will be confused and wearisome. It is the earnest hope of the writer, that this book may be numbered among the works which abridge the labor of the learner and sweeten his toil.

The Great Events of British History are not here described, being merely named in the Chronological Tables ; because, in the opinion of the writer, this book should be read immediately after the study of our national story. It will then best gain its primary object, serving as a guide and preparation for the reading of special and more detailed histories.

Every chapter is headed by its Central Point of interest, upon which the memory may easily rest, and round which, without difficulty, the

2 PREFACE.

minor events will group themselves in the mind. To this plan of teaching history by Central Points, the attention of those teachers who have not yet adopted it in their class-work is earnestly directed.

At the close of each Period, except the last, a supplementary chapter is devoted to the delineation of life and manners in some leading country or great age, occupying a conspicuous place in the history of the time. The writer is glad to know, on the testimony of eminent teachers, that similar chapters in his British History have proved to be among the most attractive, and certainly not the least useful, portions of that work.

The Geographical Appendix is intended for constant reference ; for the more Geography and History are studied together, the more accurate and lasting will be the knowledge acquired in both fields. Every place mentioned in the course of the History is not given, since it was necessary to draw the line somewhere ; and such names as are either well known to all, or too unimportant for special notice, have been omitted ; else the Appendix would have rivalled the book in size.

W. F. C.

August, i860.

PREFACE OF THE AMERICAN EDITION.

The editor makes no apology for introducing a new school-book, or an old one in a new form. He has been moved to this work by no desire for fame, but by a conviction that the work was needed.

It is not intended to take the place of any book now in use ; but to fill a place wholly unoccupied. For the account of nations cotemporary with the Hebrews, and the habits and employments of the Hebrews themselves, the editor is indebted to the excellent Bible History of Dr. Blaikie.

The events from the Creation of Man down to the opening of the Christian Era, the articles on the Settlement of America, the Indian wars, the war between Great Britain and her colonies in North America, the War of 1812, the American Rebellion, and the French and Prussian War, have been added by the American editor. The original plan of the book has not been disturbed.

White Plains, May, 1872.

FEATURES

OF THE

TO WHICH THE ATTENTION OF TEACHERS IS DRAWN.

1. The " Great Events of History," as we now present it, gives in a series of pictures a connected view of the entire historic period, from the Creation of Man to the present time.

2. It meets a want, which, teachers generally feel, in providing a general history which is not so prolix as to weary and discourage the pupil ; at the same time it is not so bald as to be uninteresting.

3. It is designed to introduce the subject to the pupil in a manner so pleasant as to obviate the usual objections to the study of history in schools.

4. One of the objects to be attained by the study of general history, is to create such a love for the subject as to induce the learner to read particular history. This the " Great Events " is eminently calculated to do.

5. For the purpose of fixing the facts in the mind of the learner, each chapter is headed by its central point of interest.

6. A new and very interesting feature is the description of the life and manners in leading countries. - This feature, alone, is sufficient to make the book desirable.

7. It gives a brief account of the settlement of the New World, and the American wars, including the late Rebellion in the United States.

8. The causes of the seven weeks war between Austria and Prussia, by which Prussia gained the ascendency in Germany, are stated in a single short chapter.

9. The book closes with a brief history of the Franco-Prussian war, the last great event of the present century.

io. The appendix contains a concise geographical gazetteer of the most important places mentioned in the book, arranged under the heads of the countries in which they are found.

II. The American editor has aimed to produce a pleasant, interesting book, which may be used as a manual of history, or for a class readingbook.

The chapters are preceded by headings which give an analysis of the lesson, and may be turned into questions by the teacher to examine his class. And the chapters themselves, for the convenience of the learner, are divided into short paragraphs.

With this introduction, he places the book m the hands of his brethren, hoping they will frive it a fair trial, and render an imoartial Judgment.

Contents

FIRST PERIOD.

FROM THE CREATION OP MAN TO THE CRUCIFIXION.

Chap Page

Chapter I. Creation And Fall Of Man

Preparation of the earth for man— Creation of lower animals— Creation of Adam and Eve- Man's employment— Power of speech— Locality of the garden— Man's disobedience— Fall— Consequence of the Fall.

CREATION OF MAN.

The Creation of Man involved the necessity of preparing a dwellingplace for him.

The Bible informs us that the world passed through successive changes, which transformed an unshapely mass to its present condition of beauty and fitness. God said, "Let there be Light" and the rays of the sun burst upon the surface of the earth.

Then the land appeared from under the waters, and was clothed with vegetation. The fishes, reptiles, and birds were called into existence. Next, quadrupeds appeared. Finally, as a crowning act, man was created in the image of God, his Maker. " Then the woman was formed from the rib of the man, in token of the closeness of their relation, and the duty of man to love his wife as his own flesh."

Man having been created, means were employed for his occupation. In order to develop his mind and body activity was necessary.

He was to dress and keep the garden, to subdue the lower animals, study them, and subject them to his control and use.

Distinguished from all other created beings around him by the gift of speech, he was enabled to classify and name the animals, hold converse with his wife, and engage in oral acts of praise and worship of his Heavenly Father.

The locality of the Garden of Eden is believed to be in the highlands of Asia Minor, near the sources of the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris.

The whole district drained by these rivers is represented by travellers as one of surpassing beauty. Mountains rise, by easy slopes, to the height of 5,000 feet; their, sides are clothed with gigantic forest trees, underneath which the box, bay, and rhododendron nourish.

The valleys and lowlands are studded with villages, and checkered by orchards, vineyards, and gardens, yielding both the cereals of the temperate zones and the fruits of the tropics.

Somewhere in the eastern part of this charming district the garden was located, on the shore of Lake Van. This lake is described by travellers as follows : *

" The shores of Lake Van (a noble sheet of water, 240 miles round) are singularly fine. They are bright with poplar, tamarisk, myrtles, and oleanders, whilst numerous verdant islands, scattered over its placid bosom, lend to it the enchantment of fairy land. In one direction the gardens cover a space seven or eight miles long, and four miles broad. The climate is temperate, and sky almost always bright and clear. To the southeast of the lake extends the plain of Solduz, presenting in one part an unbroken surface of groves, orchards, vineyards, gardens, and villages. The same description is applicable to the tract extending along the Araxes, which, for striking mountain scenery, interspersed with rich valleys, can scarcely be equalled. This district accords, in every respect, with the best notions we can form of the cradle of the human race."

Here, say the Armenians, was the Vale of Eden. On the summit of Mount Ararat, at no great distance from this, the ark rested ; and here, also, the vine was first cultivated by Noah. It is impossible to say whether further investigation in this comparatively unknown district will ever guide us nearer to the spot where the Lord planted the garden ; but there can be no doubt that these plains, lakes, and islands must have given birth to the images of Elysian fields and Fortunate islands that continued, age after age, to gild the traditions of the world.*

THE FALL.

The Fall of Man. — This expression signifies the loss of the innocence and perfection with which he was endowed at his creation.

The Fall was the consequence of disobedience.

Man, having been created and placed in the garden, was allowed to use the fruits of all the trees except one — The Tree of Knowledge. Of the fruit of this he was forbidden to eat.

* For an account of Creation, see first and second chapters of Genesis.

But he was left to exercise his free will. Satan entered into a serpent, empowered it with the gift of speech, sought out Eve, and persuaded her to eat of the forbidden fruit. She, astonished at hearing the serpent speak, listened, and as he told her that the eating of the fruit would increase her knowledge, she finally consented, and after partaking of the' fruit herself, took some to Adam, who also ate.

This act of disobedience entailed upon Adam's descendants a sinful nature, denominated by theologians, original sin.

For this act the heretofore happy pair were driven from the garden. The earth was cursed, and they doomed to labor, and endurance of pain.

From that time they, with all their descendants, were liable to death

Milton thus describes the momentous event :

" Of man's disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death into the world, and all our woe." Eve's act —

"... her rash hand, in evil hour, Forth reaching to the fruit. She plucked, she eat. Earth felt the wound, and Nature, from her seat, Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe, That all was lost"

Adam's Act —

" Earth trembled from her entrails, as again In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan ; Sky lowered, and muttering thunder, some sad drops Wept at completing of the mortal sin Original "

At what period of the existence of our first parents their Fall occurred the inspired writer does not inform us. The fact is only stated. There is reason to infer that it occurred soon after their creation.

Before the Fall they lived in the garden, whose enchanting beauty has already been described. Their employment was to dress, admire, and enjoy the lovely spot, and to praise and glorify their Maker.

Having disobeyed, they were driven forth from the garden, and the ground, which before brought forth, spontaneously, an abundant supply of fruits to satisfy all their desires, became changed, and needed cultivation to produce the food their desecrated bodies needed.

" Adam and Eve went forth into the wide world, carrying with them the fallen nature and corrupt tendencies which were the present fruit of their sin, but with faith in the promise of redemption."

The chief object of their life was yet to be accomplished, the earth was to be peopled and subdued. The curse was accompanied by a promise. The toils of the man were to be rewarded by the fniits the earth would yield to cultivation ; and the woman, in her suffering, was consoled by the hope of a Redeemer.*

Chapter II. Deluge, And Confusion Of Tongues

Cause of the flood— Describe the ark— Noah's age when he entered the ark— How many pep sons were saved— How long they were shut up in the ark— First acts on leaving the ark — Change of laws and privileges— God's promise not to destroy the world again by water- Babel, and its object— Where was the tower built— Confounding of tongues— Dispersion of mankind— Mode of government— Social life.

DELUGE.

The Deluge, or Flood, was an overflow of water upon the land, which covered the tops of the highest mountains, destroying all animal life.

This event is described in the seventh chapter of Genesis. The reason for sending the flood is stated in the previous chapter.

This remarkable occurrence took place about 1656 years after the creation of man.

Sin and wickedness had become so wonderful that God determined to destroy the whole race, except Noah and his family.

Noah was directed to construct a vessel sufficiently large to accommodate his family and such animals as he should need. In this vessel, called in the Bible the Ark, he embarked with his wife, three sons, and their wives, making in all eight souls.

He took, according to Divine direction, clean beasts and birds by sevens, and of such as were not to be used for food or for sacrifice by pairs, with a supply of food for all.

The age of Noah at the time he entered the ark was 600 years. When all had embarked, the ark was shut by the hand of God, and immediately the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the clouds sent forth torrents of water, which increased and bore up the ark.

The Bible does not describe the terrific character of the consequences of such a storm. We are left to imagine the scenes that followed. The mountain streams must have swollen so suddenly as to forsake their channels and find new outlets, sweeping away, in their angry force, ham- Jets, villages, and even cities, washing down hills, and undermining mountains.

But, most prominent, there rises before the fancy a scene of terrible con-

* For an account of the Fall, see third chapter of Genesis.

OF HISTORY.

flict — brawny men fighting with the tempest, carrying their families from height to height, but still pursued by the remorseless, unwearying foe.

The next scene is one of defeat and death.

Bleached and bloodless corpses float everywhere, like pieces of a wreck over the shoreless sea ; the poor babe, locked in the arms of the mother, having found even nature's refuge fail.

Last of all, there is a scene of awful stillness and desolation, not one object being seen but the dull expanse of the ocean, nor one sound of life heard but the low moan of its surging waters.

On the seventh month the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. But nearly a year elapsed, after the mighty vessel grounded, before Noah emerged from this temporary prison. Immediately upon landing he erected an altar, and offered sacrifice to God for preserving him from the watery grave which had engulfed all mankind except his family, with which act, God being well pleased, He made a covenant with him, never again to destroy the world by flood, and to seal the promise, He set His bow in the qloud.

Noah, as has been stated, on going out of the ark, celebrated his deliverance by a burnt offering of all the kinds of clean beasts which he had preserved in the ark with him.

The Lord accepted this sacrifice, and assured Noah that never again should the inhabitants of the world be destroyed by a deluge. The order of the seasons, and the produce of the earth, were secured by Divine promise to the end of the world's existence. Till that end man is to live under the dispensation of God's forbearance, and work out his full destiny.*

BABEL.

The next great event in man's history was the confusion of tongues, and the consequent dispersion of mankind into three great lingual families.

On leaving the ark new privileges were granted, new laws imposed, and a new covenant made. In addition to the plants, all animals were allowed for food. They were forbidden to eat blood, and murder was made a capital offense. " Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed."

We may infer that the sons of Noah, and their descendants, moved naturally towards the south, until, after many years, they reached and settled the plains south of Ararat ; until Assyria, the plains of Mesopotamia, and Chaldea swarmed with busy multitudes, pursuing the various avocations of life.

* For an account of the Flood, see the sixth, seventh, and eighth chapters of Genesis.

It was on the plains of Chaldea, south of Mesopotamia, that the mighty city of Babylon arose on the banks of the River Euphrates, where the inhabitants, in their pride, attempted to erect a tower that should reach to the heavens. This tower was, no doubt, intended to serve as a place from which to expose signals to call the people together, hence it was to be high enough to be seen from all parts of the plain.

To humble their pride, and to people other sections by distribution, God arrested the work by confounding of tongues, so that when the workmen asked for brick the laborers brought mortar. It is not certain to how great an extent the confusion of tongues was brought ; but it is not believed that each person spoke a different dialect from every other. But, on the other hand, there is reason to believe that the whole was divided into three great lingual divisions or families.

One language had hitherto been spoken, supposed to be the Hebrew.

A celebrated scholar, Sir Wm. Jones, believes that all the languages now spoken in the world may be traced to three great foundations — the Arabic, Sanscrit, and the Sclavonic.

By this confusion of tongues concentration was prevented and emigration secured, two great means of preserving the purity of the people and colonization«of other sections.

On the great plain south of Ararat, where this memorable event took place, there were several other large cities. Accad and Nineveh were among the most noted.

Men now grouped together, from necessity, into tribes or families, composed of those who understood each other, sought new regions and neighborhoods where they might settle, and engage in the various departments of human industry then practiced.

In that mild climate and generous soil men were greatly tempted to become shepherds and herdsmen, a mode of life at once simple and healthful, and one highly calculated to extend the borders of occupation, and increase the population.

The government was patriarchal — a mode of government which seemed to have been especially acceptable to God, and well calculated to prevent centralization.

CITIES AND EMPIRES — BABEL, NINEVEH, EGYPT.

After the confusion of tongues, the plain where the tower had been built continued to enjoy pre-eminence in the history of the world. One of its earliest distinctions arose from its connection with Nimrod, the first man, according to the Eastern writers, that wore a crown. Nimrod, whose energy and exploits as a hunter helped him to the royal dignity, began to reign at Babel, on the Euphrates— the original, it is thought, of

OF HISTORY.

the celebrated Babylon, afterwards the capital of the Chaldean Empire. The name Babel, signifying " confusion," commemorated the great event that had signalized its neighborhood. Nimrod himself was a descendant of Ham, whereas the plain was the property of the Shemites : it is therefore probable that Nimrod was an invader and conqueror, who subjugated the original inhabitants.*

Several other cities were built by Nimrod in the plain of the Euphrates and Tigris, of some of which the ruins still remain. Near one of them (Accad, now Akkerhoof ) there is a remarkable mound, surmounted by a sort of pyramid, which is called by the Arabs Tel Nimrood, or " the Hill of Nimrod." The ruins of other cities which have lately been explored by Mr. Loftus and others are very extensive. Warka, believed to be the Erech of the Bible, presents an enormous accumulation of mounds and ancient relics ; and as far as three miles beyond its walls, ruined buildings, mounds, and pottery abound.

Another town that contributed thus early to the fame of the Mesopotamian plain, was Nineveh. It was situated on the banks of the Tigris, about 300 miles to the north of Babel. It was founded by Asshur, who seems to have been pushed out of the Babel district by Nimrod. Nineveh became the rival of Babylon, and the capital of the Assyrian Empire. It is impossible to form any definite conception of the appearance or state of these towns at this early period.

It must have been at a very short time after the dispersion that Mizraim and his company, directing their march southwards, reached at last the banks of the Nile, and laid the foundations of the great Empire of Egypt. No reliance is to be placed on some of the accounts of their antiquity put forth by the ancient Egyptians ; for these place the origin of that empire centuries before the beginning of our era! But it is beyond all doubt that Egypt was not only a very ancient kingdom, but that it possessed a very ancient and very wonderful civilization. It is supposed by some that Mizraim was the same as Menes, the first who reigned over Egypt. But others think that the country was for a long time under the government of priests, before Menes was chosen king. According to Sir Gardner Wilkinson (one of the highest authorities in Egyptian matters), Menes flourished between two and three thousand years before the Christian era. It is pretty certain that before the call of Abraham, the massive forms of some of the largest pyramids were already to be seen in the plain of El Gizeh. Already the walls of many tombs and temples

* Sir H. Rawlinson thinks he has discovered a reference to this invasion in the records lately found at Mugeyer, which bear the names of a series of kings from Urukh (b.c. 2230) to Nabonidus (b.c 540).

were covered with those inscriptions which the scholars of the nineteenth century are laboring to explain. It almost seemed as if they, single-handed, by their wonderful pyramids, were succeeding in the project which the united resources of the world had failed to accomplish at Shinar.

SOCIAL LIFE OF THE ANCIENTS — JOB.

It would be utterly impossible, in any single picture, to present a view of the state of society during a period of so great extent, and embracing such a variety of nations and countries. We can but follow the example of the Bible itself, and make choice of a single spot, and a single family, to convey some idea of the life and manners of the age. It is probable that it was during this period that the patriarch Job lived, suffered, and triumphed. Job was probably a descendant of Shem ; his residence is said to have been " in the east " (Job i. 3) — the term usually applied to the district where the first settlement of men took place. (Gen. ii. 8 ; iii. 24 ; xi. 2.) The Sabeans and Chaldeans were his neighbors ; and at the time when he lived the knowledge of the True God seems to have been preserved, without material corruption. The adoration of the heavenly bodies had begun to be practiced (Job xxxi. 26, 27), but there seems still to have been a general belief in one Almighty God.

The picture of social life in the book of Job is in many respects extremely beautiful. We dare not regard it as a sample of what was usual over the world, but rather as exhibiting the highest condition of social life that had been attained. There were even then cases of oppression, robbery, and murder ; but, for the most part, a fine patriarchal purity and simplicity prevailed. The rich and the poor met together, and to the distressed and helpless the rich man's heart and hand were ever open : " When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street, the young men saw me, and hid themselves : and the aged arose and stood up. . . . When the ear heard me, then it blessed me ; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me : because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." The sweet bonds of family affection retained all their power in the household of Job ; his children feasted by turns in each other's houses ; while the affectionate and pious father rose early in the morning to offer sacrifices for them all, lest any of them should have sinned. The simple burnt-offering retained its place as the appointed ordinance of heaven, and was the sacrifice that Job, as the . high-priest of his house, presented on behalf of his children.

In the book of Job mention is made of kings, princes, nobles, judges, merchants, warriors, travellers, and slaves. The pen of iron had begun to engrave inscriptions upon rocks ; the mining shaft was sunk for gold and silver ; and palaces that had been built for kings and nobles had fallen into ruin. Astronomy had begun to acquaint men with the heavenly bodies, and many of the stars and constellations had received well-known names. Altogether, the state of civilization was highly advanced. The more closely we study those early times, the more erroneous appears the opinion that man began his career as a savage, and gradually worked his way up to refinement and civilization. The reverse of this is nearer the truth. " God made man upright " — civilized and refined, as well as intelligent and holy ; but as man departed from God, he lost these early blessings. Sometimes a considerable degree of refinement has been reached by other paths ; but by far the richest and best civilization is that which has come with true religion — with the pure knowledge and simple worship of the one True God.

Note. — For a description of the Tower of Babel, see Genesis, eleventh chapter. i

Chapter III. Call Of Abraham, And Account Of Joseph

Abraham's birth— Age of Abraham when the Lord spoke to him — Promise to Abraham— The wanderings of Abraham — First battle — Age of Abraham at the birth of Isaac— Isaac's marriage— Birth of Esau and Jacob— Jacob buys the birthright and receives the blessing- Jacob flees to his uncle in Mesopotamia— Serves his uncle fourteen years for his two daughters— Continues to reside with Lab an after his marriage, and prospers— Sets out with his wives and flocks to return to his native country— Jacob's partiality for Joseph, the son of his younger wife — Consequences of the partiality — Joseph sold into Egypt— His elevation in Egypt— The famine — Joseph's brothers go to Egypt to buy food— Joseph makes himself known to them— Jacob and his family move into Egypt— Kindly received by the king— He settles with his family in Goshen.

CALL OF ABRAHAM.

The next most important event chronicled in the Mosaic history of man is the call of Abraham, ten generations after Noah. Abram was born 1996 B.C. Ur, a Chaldean city, was his birthplace. Terah, Abram's father, removed from Ur to Haran, in Mesopotamia.

The Lord spake to Abram while residing in Haran, when he was seventy-five years old, and commanded him to leave his father's house, to separate himself from his kindred, to depart from his country, and to go to a land that should be shown him.

The Lord said to him, " I will make thee a great nation, and will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee. And in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed."

Abram, in obedience to this command, set out with his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot, taking with him his flocks and herds, and journeyed into the land of Canaan. Having arrived, his first act was to erect an altar, and sacrifice to the Lord.