Fort Ticonderoga, from Eastern Shore.

HISTORICAL SERIES—BOOK II

STORIES
OF HEROIC DEEDS
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

BY

JAMES JOHONNOT

NEW YORK * CINCINNATI * CHICAGO

AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY

Copyright, 1887,
By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY.
E-P 2

PREFACE.

In preparing this little book, three things havebeen kept constantly in mind—the plan of thewhole series, the thought and sentiment expressedin each lesson, and the language used to expressthe thought.

The main feature of the plan is to furnish pupilsinteresting historical stories for the purposeof giving them a taste for the study of history, toenable them to distinguish between fact and fiction,and to stimulate them to high endeavor by nobleexample.

In selecting, preparing, and arranging the stories,care has been taken that the thought is suchas to be readily understood, and that on the wholeit tends to awaken the higher emotions. Themoral lesson involved should be absorbed ratherthan learned, and the teacher should beware ofdestroying the value of any lesson by dealing outmoral pap.

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The language is that of common life, such asthe pupil hears every day from parent, friend, andteacher—such as the morning newspaper brings,and such as is necessary for him to master in itsprinted and written forms in the shortest possibletime. When a word is unknown, the teachershould develop its meaning before permitting thelesson to go on. The interest in the story will bea sufficient stimulus to secure the best of attention,and the highest excellence in delivery.

In the use of language, it is far better thatpupils should be obliged to stretch upward ratherthan be remanded to the nursery. Baby-talkshould no more be revived than long-clothes, andthe time spent in writing stories in words of onesyllable might be used to a much better purpose.

The history of the Do-as-you-likes speaks foritself. It is a fancy story rather than a myth, butit is one that children will like, long before theywill understand its whole significance; and wemuch doubt whether the Rev. Charles Kingsleyever produced a more valuable and original bookthan "Water-Babies," from which this story istaken.

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CONTENTS.