An elementary history of our country

Front matter

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THE TAPPAN-KENDALL HISTORIES

AN

Preface

This book aims not at telling stories about the United States, but at giving a short, simple, connected account of our country from its discovery to the present day. Mindful of the pleasure that children take in kno\ving " why," and of their unfailing interest in biography, I have tried, as far as the limits of the book would permit, to note reasons as well as deeds ; and, while avoiding everything of the nature of a biographical sketch, I have sought to arouse and encourage a feeling of friendly familiarity with the heroes of our nation.

Though an introductory history must necessarily be limited in size, it is believed that there can be gained from this volume a definite knowledge of the main events in the history of our land, some idea of the causes of those events, and an acquaintance, sympathetic though slight, with the men who stood behind the events ; and that the book will thus serve as an introduction to a later and more extended study of the growth and development of our country.

Acknowledgment is due to General James Grant Wilson, the Lenox Library, Messrs. S. P. Avery, Jr., Walter Bailey Elhs, George A. Clough, Grover Flint, Charles Scribner's Sons, and The Century Company, for permission to reproduce a number of illustrations in this book.

EVA MARCH TAPPAN.

The cover designs represent : on the front cover, Columbus's flagship, the Santa Maria; on the back cover, Dewey's flagship, the Olympia ; and on the shelf edge of the book, the Indian corn-plant.

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