The Age of Anne

be taught for the sake of its human interest. For this reason I have made it my first object to avoid being dull. I have been very biographical, taking care to introduce formally all new characters of importance as they come upon the stage. Again, I have not feared the accusation of being a 'drum and trumpet historian,' for war, unfortunately, is an intrinsic part of history, and always stirs the interest of the young, acting as the bait which may draw them on to the study of other matters.

Disclaiming originality, I wish to indicate the sources from which I have drawn. The end of Lord Macaulay's history overlaps the period, but, unfortunately, only the end all must lament that he was not spared to write the history of a time with which his acquaintance was so intimate. His essay on Lord Mahon's early book is almost as valuable as that book itself for the war in Spain. In the same way Lord Mahon's History of England from the Peace of Utrecht is helpful for the couple of years at the end of my period. The volume which the same historian wrote as Earl Stanhope, to cover the ground between the close of Macaulay's history and the opening of his own, I am inclined not to value so highly as his larger work; but I have no wish to depreciate a book that has been one of my chief authorities. 'A History of Great Britain during the Reign of Queen Anne,' lately published by Mr. F. W. Wyon, is more thorough in its research and more interesting. His judgment is independent, and his knowledge of French memoirs very complete. It is a matter for regret that he seems to ignore or to despise the work of German

historians. I have found Noorden's Spanische Erbfolgekrieg' a very mine in which to dig, though I fancy no man could read the book through. The period is unfortunately beyond the point where the great Ranke writes with fulness, but his sketches are of more value than the details of others. Gfrörer's 'History of the Eighteenth Century' is suggestive.

I have used Burnet's History of His Own Time' with necessary caution, and the Lives of Marlborough by Coxe and Alison. Considering the purpose for which the book is intended, I have not hesitated to use my authorities freely, nor cared to avoid their language. I confess indeed that I have been amused to trace thoughts and expressions from authority to authority, and doubt not that I also have borrowed, perhaps too easily, even the words of others.

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To the list which I have given, and which is by no means exhaustive, I must add the following as of use in special portions. M. Duruy's 'Histoire de France' ('Rhétorique'), Mrs. Bray's 'Revolt of the Cevennes,' Dr. Bridges' 'France under Richelieu and Colbert,' the introduction to Carlyle's 'Frederick the Great,' and Thackeray's Esmond' and the Four Georges.' It is a matter of regret that in a novel like 'Esmond,' which gives so excellent a picture of Queen Anne's reign, Thackeray should have placed the Old Pretender in London at the time of his sister's death -a deviation from history not necessary to the development of his plot.

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