Irene of Corinth; an historic romance of the first century

Front matter

ChaiiTEZsCopjright Ko.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

9—404

Preface

ANY a book called a history contains less truth than the present volume, which bears the' title of a romance. This will be ^ clear to the student who can steal an occasional hour to look over the following pages. But while historic facts form the base, the superstructure is of that airy, material called fiction. The first century of the Christian era is so rich a mine of fact and romance, that it is passing strange how few novelists have located a claim upon it. The author has taken the most . noteworthy facts of that age — of interest to every Christian — and dressed them up in the garb of a tale ; so as, he hopes, to place them before a class of persons who can never be brought to engage in the comparatively dry reading of text books of history.

Whether the story will be found sufficiently absorbing by the general reader the author has as yet no means of ascertaining ; but he may truly say, that if it afford as much entertainment to those who will read it as it afforded himself while engaged in its composition, it will amply repay a perusal. The ^

PREFACE.

idea of the work was conceived while reading the “ Historiche Komane ” of the celebrated scholar, Father Bolanden, who has done more than any other writer to put before his countrymen, in its true light, the history of Germany during the middle ages. Exact chronologers may find fault with the order of certain events embodied in this story, as well as with the length of time through which the plot carries them previous to its denouements but the license so freely accorded, and more freely indulged by all writers of fiction, will, the author trusts, exempt him on this count from too harsh a criticism.

Niagara, April 10th, 1684.

P. J. HAROLD.

CO NTEN.TS.

PAGE.

Preface 3

• CHAPTER VI.

Love at First Sight - . . - ... go

CHAPTER VIT.

CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER IX.

Contents

CHAPTER X. PAGE.

CHAPTER XL

Zion’s Daughter a Slave - - 115