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The aim of this series is to sketch the history of ModernEurope, with that of its chief colonies and conquests, from aboutthe end of the fifteenth century down to the present time. In oneor two cases the story commences at an earlier date; in the case ofthe colonies it generally begins later. The histories of thedifferent countries are described, as a rule, separately; for it isbelieved that, except in epochs like that of the French Revolutionand Napoleon I, the connection of events will thus be betterunderstood and the continuity of historical development moreclearly displayed.
The series is intended for the use of all persons anxious tounderstand the nature of existing political conditions. 'The rootsof the present lie deep in the past'; and the real significance ofcontemporary events cannot be grasped unless the historical causeswhich have led to them are known. The plan adopted makes itpossible to treat the history of the last four centuries inconsiderable detail, and to embody the most important results ofmodern research. It is hoped therefore that the series will beuseful not only to beginners but to students who have alreadyacquired some general knowledge of European History. For those whowish to carry their studies further, the bibliography appended toeach volume will act as a guide to original sources of informationand works of a more special character.
Considerable attention is paid to political geography; andeach volume is furnished with such maps and plans as may berequisite for the illustration of the text.
G.W. PROTHERO.
The title, "History of Holland," given to this volume is fullyjustified by the predominant part which the great maritime provinceof Holland took in the War of Independence and throughout the wholeof the subsequent history of the Dutch state and people. In everylanguage the country, comprising the provinces of Holland, Zeeland,Utrecht, Friesland, Gelderland, Overyssel and Groningen, has, fromthe close of the sixteenth century to our own day, been currentlyspoken of as Holland, and the people (with the solitary exceptionof ourselves) as 'Hollanders...