36

the rightful heir, was on a crusade to the Holy Land. Henry invades Normandy,
and in 1106 Robert is made prisoner (till his death) and Normandy is again
under the British Crown. (Normandy remains in the stream of the English Gov-
ernment, as a province, until in the reign of King John, 1204, when the pos-
sessions in France are lost, and it again flows back to France.) Henry II invades
Ireland October 18, 1171, when it is soon conquered and he became “Lord of
Ireland.” (See Chart.) In 1282, Lewellyn, the last Prince of Wales, was slain,
and Wales is finally subdued by Edward I, and added to England. To conciliate
the conquered Welch, Edward bestows upon his eldest son the title of “Prince
of Wales.” (Since that time the eldest son of the sovereigns of England has
borne the title of “Prince of Wales.”)
The reign of Edward III is noted for his victories over Phillip VI of France,
at Crecy (August 26), and at Poictiers (September 19) 1346; the first battles in
which cannon were used, and of his conquest of Calais, which was retained by
the English till the time of Queen Mary. Glancing along down the stream of time
the eye rests upon the thirty-eight years reign of Henry VIII (1509 to 1547) as
an age replete with important events and notable personages. Following the
decade lines up and down we see that in 1530 Copernicus of Thorn possesses
a new system of astronomy which was to supplant the Ptolemaic system. The
spinning wheel was invented at Brunswick the same year. The celebrated Cardinal
Wolsey, his prime minister, flourished, with Erasmus, the scholar, and Raphael,
the painter, and Michel Angelo (1475 to 1564, who was accidentally ommitted
from the Chart) the greatest artist of any age. John Knox flourished in Scotland.
Cranmer, Tyndale, and Moore in England, while the Reformation by Luther and
Zwingle and Calvin, resulting in the Council of Augsburg and “Confession of
Faith,” in 1530; produced the celebrated “Council of Trent,” convoked by Pope
Paul III, in 1545. During his reign the noted “St. Peter’s Basilica” was being
erected at Rome; he was contemporary with Charles V of Germany, and the “I”
of Spain, who embraced the most extensive territory under his dominions of
any monarch since the days of Charlmagne — and during the life of Henry the
American continent was discovered by Columbus, and in 1534 the Church of
England separated from the Church of Rome.
Henry is succeeded in 1547 by Edward VI (son of Jane Seymour), who, af-
ter six years’ reign, is succeeded by Jane (Lady Jane Grey), who was proclaimed
Queen, but ten days afterward returned to private life.
Mary (daughter of Catharine of Aragon) then came to the throne and
reigned five years. During her reign the Catholic religion was restored, and
Calais was lost, after being held by England for 210 years (1347 to 1557). Eliza-
beth (daughter of Anne Boleyn) then succeeds Mary, and reigns forty-five years
(1553 to 1603). During her reign the Spanish Invincible Armada of 150 ships,
3,000 cannon, and 27,000 men, entered the English Channel and suffered an
entire defeat by the English fleet of 108 ships, July 20, 1588. The Bishop’s Bible
is published by her order in 1568, and a galaxy of eminent and great men,
 37
as William Shakespeare, Galileo, Edward Coke, Francis Bacon, and Spenser,
flourished during her long reign. She was succeeded in 1603 by James VI, of
Scotland (the son of Mary, Queen of Scots), who then took the title of James I,
of England. In him the two crowns were united (see Scotland running into
England, 1603). He had held the throne of Scotland for thirty-six years (1567
to 1603), contemporary with Elizabeth, and succeeding her, he then reigns
twenty-two years longer. During his reign the gun-powder plot of Guy Fawkes
was frustrated (November 5, 1605), the Authorized Version of the Scriptures was
made (1607 to 1611), and the “Puritans,” or “Pilgrim Fathers,” cross the ocean
in the Mayflower and land on Plymouth Rock, 1620.
He is succeeded in 1625 by his son, Charles I, who, after a despotic reign of
twenty-four years, is beheaded 1649, when the Long Parliament of four years was
dissolved by Cromwell (April 20, 1653). Under Cromwell and his son, Richard,
the Commonwealth lasted seven years (1653 to 1660), when royalty was restored
under Charles II. In 1665 the great plague, and in 1666 the great fire of London
rages, both with terrible havoc and ruin. In 1668 Bombay is added to the British
possessions. In 1685 he is succeeded by his brother, James II, but, being un-
popular, he abdicated by fleeing to France, in December 1688, and in 1689 was
succeeded by William and Mary. (This event is styled the Glorious Revolution of
1688 by British writers.) Mary died December 28,1694, when he reigned alone
as William III to his death, 1702. Anne, daughter of James II, then reigned twelve
years. In her reign (1704) Gibralter was added to England, and Nova Scotia in
1713. The Constitutional Union between England and Scotland (1706) was also
consummated. On the death of Anne, George Lewis, Elector of Hanover and
Duke of Brunswick (who was son of Sophia, daughter of Elizabeth the daughter
of James 1), came to the throne as George I, 1714. (See Chart, where Hanover
runs into England in 1714, and introducing the House of Hanover and the four
Georges in succession to the throne of England.) After a pacific reign of thirteen
years, he was succeeded in 1727 by his son, George II. The military operations
of his reign were extensive, numerous, and generally triumphant.
Charles Edward, “the pretender,” the last of the Stuarts, made an effort to ob-
tain the throne, and was defeated by the Duke at Cumberland at Culloden, April
16, 1746. (This was the last battle fought on the soil of Great Britain.) Prince
Edward’s Island was added in 1758, and Canada taken from the French in 1759.
(General Wolfe fell at the storming of Quebec, September 13, 1759.) George Ill,
his grandson, succeeded in 1760, and reigned sixty years — to 1820. His reign
was full of important events to England and to the world.
The Revolution in the United States, and eight years’ war with George III,
ending in its final independence September 3, 1783. The French Revolution of
1789 — the victory of Trafalgar by Nelson, October 21, 1805 — the wonderful
career of Napoleon Bonaparte, and his terrible defeat and overthrow at Water-
loo, June 18, 1815, by the Duke of Wellington, with the acquisition of many
provinces (see Chart), mark an important epoch in the world’s history.
 38
The ten years’ reign of his son, George IV, closed in 1830, when he was
succeeded by his brother, William IV. In his reign slavery was abolished in
all the British provinces. He died June 20, 1837, when Alexandrina Victoria,
only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent (born May 24,1819), succeeded to the
throne, and was crowned June 28, 1838; was married to her cousin, Francis
Albert Augustus Charles Emmanuel, February 10, 1840. He died December
14, 1861, leaving nine children. The history of England is of the most thrill-
ing interest and importance to the scholar, to civilization, and to the world. It
is equaled by the history of no country, either ancient or modern, in richness
of instruction, and in its practical bearing upon the literature, civilization, and
reformations of the world.
CHINA — “THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE”
The Chinese annals claim for their Empire a fabulous antiquity of from
eighty to one hundred thousand years B.C., with early emperors whose reigns
were equally extravagant. Noah and his decendants (presumably) having settled
in China and founded the Empire, the cause of this extravagant claim is probably
found in their traditions, which doubtless connected Noah with Lamech, Methu-
selah, Jared, etc., back to Adam. The institutions and character attributed to Fohi,
the reputed founder and first sovereign of the High dynasty, is easily reconcilable
with the Noah of Genesis. In their traditions the Chinese historians state that Fohi
was a divinely begotten personage; that he invented a symbolical mode of writ-
ing, composed a code of laws, invented music and dress-making, and the custom
of sacrificing different kinds of animals, etc. The history of China is meager and
uncertain. It was not unusual for an emperor to cause every record of the past to
be destroyed, that the Empire might appear to have originated with himself. From
their own records we know but little of the history of China. Twenty-two dynas-
ties have occupied the throne. It will be observed that the stream of China from
its remote antiquity flows along down to the present day without an interruption,
save in one or two cases. In the twelfth century the Mongol Tartars overran and
occupied the northern part of China, and in 1260 Kublai Khan established the
Yuen dynasty, which continued until about 1360–7, when the Monguls (or Mo-
guls) are expelled from China.
After a long and sanguinary struggle (1618–44) the country was conquered
by the eastern or Mantchoo Tartars, who established the Tsing dynasty (the pres-
ent reigning house) under Shung-che, or Shun-she (see Chart) Tsa-tien, sur-
named Hwangii, the present emperor, was born in 1871, and succeeded to the
throne February 2, 1875.
FRANCE (Gaul) AND GERMANY
The nations of ancient Gaul (i.e., France and Belgium) were called by the
Romans Galli, or Celtae. They came originally from Asia, and invading eastern
Europe, were driven westward, and settled in Spain, North Italy, France, and
Belgium. The origin of the German nations is enveloped in great obscurity. The
 39
real existence and exploits of Pharamond, Clodion, Merovius, and Childeric are in-
volved in doubt, but the authentic history of the Frankish Monarchy began with
Clovis (481 to 511 A.D.). He terminated, moreover, the expiring domination of
Rome in Gaul, and made conquests from the Alelmanni and the Visagoths. He
married Clotilda, a Christian princess and daughter of the King of Burgundy, in
consequence of which Clovis and his subjects embraced Christianity. He made
Paris his capital, and published the Salic laws excluding females from the throne.
The Merovingian Kings, so called from Merovius, are called “The Lazy Kings,” or
“Long Haired Princes of the Franks,” and were generally weak sovereigns, who
retained the throne until 691 A.D.
On the death of Clovis, in 511, his kingdom was divided among his four
sons. (See the wide stream under Clovis at his death in 511 dividing into four
streams, viz.: Orleans to Clodomir, Paris to Childebert, Metz to Thierry, and Sois-
sons to Clotaire. These four divisions continued to 558, when Clotaire became
the sole monarch of France and Germany.) (See the green of Clotaire sweeping
across the whole kingdom, 558 to 561.) At his death the kingdom was again
divided among his four sons. Pepin, le Bref (the short), obtained the throne in
746, and Beame the founder of the Carloringian dynasty. He was succeeded by
his two sons, Charles and Carloman, in 768, but on the death of Carloman in
771, Charles became sole sovereign of France. He was far the greatest monarch
of his age.
After long and bloody contests he put an end to the kingdom of the Lom-
bards in Italy, defeated the Saxons and the Huns, and added Saxony and Austria
to his kingom. This illustrious monarch is known in history as Charlemagne (or
Charles the Great). In 800 A.D., December 25, he was crowned by Pope Leo III
as Emperor of the West.
He was contemporary with the Empress Irene of Constantinople, and also
of Haroun Al Raschid, the twenty-fifth Caliph, whose reign was the Augustan
era of the Saracen Empire. Charlemagne was succeeded in 814 by his son Louis,
the Debonair. After an inglorious and turbulent reign, his son Lothaire was de-
clared Emperor of the West in 840, and Charles the Bald King of France.
FRANCE — (SEE GERMANY)
Civil war ensued when Lothaire, in 844, relinquished Germany to his brother
Louis II, the German. In 844, France and Germany were permanently separated
and have ever since maintained their separate nationalities, except from 884 to
888. When under Charles, the Fat, the extensive dominions of Charlemagne
were again united. The Carlovingian race of kings held the throne of France un-
til 987 A.D. During the reigns of Louis IV, Lothaire and Louis V, Hugh the Great,
the most powerful nobleman in France, became virtually the chief man of the
government, and on the death of Louis V, his son, Hugh Capet, placed himself
upon the throne, and founded the third or Capetian race of French kings. This
dynasty occupied the throne from 987 to 1328 A.D., a period of three hundred
and forty-one years. See the eight red crosses, 1096 to 1270.
 40
Branch of Valois — Phillip VI, the fair, who reigned from 1285 to 1314, left
three sons and a daughter, Isabella, who was Queen of England, and the mother
of Edward III. The three sons of Phillip IV succeeded him as kings of France suc-
cessively, but they all died without leaving any male heirs, so that on the death
of Charles the fair, in 1328, the male succession to the throne devolved upon
his cousin Philliip VI of Valois. But Edward III of Englund, claimed the throne in
right of his mother. This claim gave rise to those contests for the crown of France
by the kings of England which are so famous in the history of both countries,
and which were attended with many bloody battles, through a long series of
years. Edward III in asserting his claim invaded France, with his son Edward the
Black Prince and an army of 36,000, and obtained a great victory over Phillip VI
who had about 130,000 men, at Cressy (or Crecy) August 26, 1346. The great
advantage of the English, and their comparative small loss, was owing to their
possession of several iron cannon, whose stone balls made sad havoc among the
French. Calais was beseiged and taken by the English on August 4, 1347, who
retained it till 1558, being two hundred and eleven years. The house of Valois
reigned from Phillip VI 1328, to the death of Henry III 1589, being two hundred
and sixty-one years under twelve sovereigns.
House of Bourbon. As Henry III died without children, and the House of
Valois was extinct, the throne passed to the House of Bourbon, in the person
of Henry, who now became Henry IV of France. The House of Bourbon main-
tained the throne just two hundred years under five sovereigns till 1789, July
14, when Louis XVI was dethroned by the “revolution of 1789,” which inau-
gurated “the reign of terror,” and made France a Republic. After many bloody
battles, Napoleon Bonaparte caused himself to be elected First consul, Decem-
ber 24,1799, when the affairs of the Republic took a new turn, and order and
tranquility was restored to the government, and on August 2, 1802, he was
elected Consul for life.
In 1804, the Senate of France established the French Empire, and Napoleon
was crowned and proclaimed Emperor of France. In 1803 the war between
England and France was renewed, and in 1805 the Third Coalition was formed
by England, Russia, Sweden, and afterwards Prussia. At the memorable battle
of Austerlitz, December 2, 1805, Napoleon defeated the united forces of Rus-
sia and Austria, at which battle the three Emperors were present. Elated with
success, in 1814 Napoleon began his unfortunate campaign against Russia, by
marching directly towards Moscow with 400,000 infantry and 60,000 cavalry.
But the expedition was fruitless and disastrous. In 1813 he resolved upon an-
other campaign, and raised a fresh army of 350,000 men, but he was opposed
by the Combined Powers, and eventually utterly defeated at the formidable bat-
tle of Leipsic, October, 1813. But at the battle of Waterloo, June 18, 1815, his
fate was sealed, and he died at St. Helena six years after.
__________________________________________________________________
*Louis XVII, son of Louis XVI, was heir to the throne in 1793. He is numbered with
the Kings, though he never reigned. He died in prison aged 10 years.
 41
Bourbons Restored. Lous XVII,* brother of Louis XVI, was placed upon the
throne in 1815, and after a ten years reign was succeeded by his brother Charles
X, in 1824, but by the Revolution of 1830, he was deposed, and Louis Phillipe
(son of the Duke of Orleans) was raised to the throne. After reigning eighteen
years he was forced to abdicate by the Revolution of 1848, when Louis Napoleon
was elected President of the Republic. December 19, 1848. In 1852 he became
Emperor as Napoleon III. In 1870 he declared war against Prussia, and after
several defeats he surrendered to the Prussians, after the battle of Sedan, Sep-
tember 1, when the Empire terminated, and a Republic was again proclaimed.
In the Revolution of 1870, Louis A. MacMahon was elected President February
16, 1871. But May 24, 1873, Marshall MacMahon was elected President, and on
the 19th of November, 1873, he was again elected President of the Republic for
the period of seven years.
SCOTLAND OR CALEDONIA
The ancient inhabitants of Scotland were the Caledonians and Picts. The
Caledonian Monarchy was founded by Fergus I about 330 B.C. The country
managed to maintain its independent sovereignty during the conquests of Rome
and until its peaceful union with England in 1603 A.D. Large invasions of the
Scuths or Scotti from Ireland were made about 306 A.D., and then called Sco-
tia. Prior to that time it was known as Caledonia. After many wars Kenneth II,
King of the Scotti, subdued the Caledonians, and Picts in 848 A.D., and united
the country under one monarchy called Scotland. Macbeth, the hero of Shake-
speare’s tragedy, a Scottish chief and a kinsman of King Duncan, assassinated
him and usurped the throne in 1039, but he in turn was slain in battle at the
hand of Macduff, in 1057.
Various contests took place between Scotland and England, the most no-
table of which were under Edward I, who ravaged the country in 1296. In 1297
the English were defeated and expelled by the heroic Sir William Wallace, but
in 1298 he was in turn defeated at Falkilk, taken prisoner, and executed August
24, 1305. The celebrated Robert Bruce was crowned in 1306, and defeated the
English at the celebrated battle of Bannockburn, June 25, 1314.
James IV married Margaret, the sister of Henry VIII of England, and, after
reigning twenty-five years, was slain and his army almost destroyed at the
sanguinary battle of Flodden Field, in 1513. James V succeeded his father at
the age of 18 months, and in 1536 he married Madeline, daughter of Francis
I, of France. He died December 12, 1542, when his daughter, who was only
one day old, succeeded him as Mary Queen of Scots. After an unfortunate life,
she resigned the crown to her infant son, James VI, in 1567, and having taken
refuge in England in 1568, after a nineteen years captivity by Elizabeth was
beheaded February 8, 1587, On the death of Elizabeth, in 1603, she nomi-
nated as her successor James VI of Scotland, who was then crowned James 1
of England, July 25, 1603, and on October 24, 1704, he was proclaimed “King
of Great Britain.”
 42
GERMANY
In 843 A.D. the empire of the West (as founded by Charlemagne) was di-
vided into three kingdoms, France to Charles the Bald; Italy, Switzerland, etc.,
to Lothaire, and Germany to Louis the German (see the three streams after the
blue of Louis I). But under Charles the Fat the empire was again united ( 884 to
888), when they were again seprated, but in 961 Italy was reunited to Germany
under Otho the Great.
Austria was ruled by Margraves, who were tributary to Germany until 1293,
when Adolphus was deposed, and Albert of Austria was elected Emperor of Ger-
many and Austria. In 1307 the Swiss revolted from his tyranny, under the patriot
William Tell, and the independence of Switzerland was declared, January 13,
1308, and Albert was assassinated while crossing the river Reuss the same year.
King John of Bohemia, the blind, was slain at the battle of Crecy in 1346,
when Charles IV, King of Bohemia, was elected Emperor of Germany, and both
crowns united.
In 1410 Rupert (or Robert) died, when Sigismund, King of Hungary, be-
came Emperor of Germany. In 1457, Frederick III, of Germany, became King
of Austria. In 1516 Charles I succeeded his grandfather, Ferdinand, as King of
Spain, and in 1519 he succeeded his grandfather, Maximilian, as Charles V of
Gennany. He reigned over Germany, Austria, Bohenlia, Hungary, Spain, Hol-
land, Flanders (or Belgium), and their several dependencies. He was the greatest
and most powerful sovereign of his age, and after a long and prosperous reign,
in 1556, he resigned the crown of Spain to his son, Philip II, and the throne of
Germany to his brother Ferdinand, and retired to the privacy of monastic life.
Flanders (or Belgium) and Holland then became separate under Philip II of Hol-
land, in 1556, but in 1713 Flanders was again included in the empire of Germa-
ny. In the ruinous wars between Germany and France in 1793–8, Francis II lost
the Netherlands and all his territories west of the Rhine and his States in Italy.
In 1804 (August 11) Francis II of Germany laid down the dignity of Emperor
of Germany, and declared himself hereditary Emperor of Austria as Francis I.
Francis Joseph, the present Emperor of Austria, was born August 18, 1830, and
succeeded his uncle December 2, 1848. (Heir, Archduke Rodolph, born 1853.)
NETHERLANDS
In 1806 (June 5) Holland was erected into a kingdom, and Louis Bonaparte
declared King, but abdicated July 1, 1810, when Holland was again united to
France. In l813 (November 17) the Prince of Orange was restored and Belgium
annexed to his dominions. March 16, 1815, Wil1iam Frederick, Prince of Or-
ange, assumed the style of King of the Netherlands, as William I, which contin-
ued fifteen years. Belgium separated from Holland July 12, 1831, when Leopold
I was inaugurated first King July 21, 1831. He died December 10, l865, when
his son Leopold II (the present King) succeeded to the throne.
William I, of Holland, abdicated in 1840 in favor of his son, William II, who
died in 1849, when his son Wil1iam III succeeded him. (The present King.)
 43
PRUSSIA
The foundation of the greatness and power of Prussia was laid by Frederick
William, the Great Elector, who succeeded his father as Duke of Prussia in 1640.
After a long and prosperous reign of forty-eight years his son and successor (in
1688), Frederick III, a weak Prince, was crowned King, January 18, 1701, as
Frederick I. In 1713 he was succeeded by his son, Frederick William I, who died
in 1740. His son, Frederick II, the Great, after suffering much hard and cruel
treatment from his harsh and unfeeling father, ascended the throne in 1740.
In 1756 he commenced a sanguinary seven years war against Maria The-
resa, Empress of Germany, which terminated in 1763, when Silesia was ceded
to Prussia. In 1840 Frederick William IV succeeded his father, and whose reign
was characterized by political agitation, especially during the years 1848–9. A
new Constitution was proclaimed, which guaranteed political and religious lib-
erty, the freedom of the press, etc.
In 1861 (January 2) he was succeeded by his brother William I. In 1886,
a victorious war was waged against Austria, which ended with large accessions
to his dominions. In 1870 France declared war against Prussia. The Prussians
were victorious, and in August entered France, and besieged Paris, September
19. King William of Prussia was proclaimed Emperor of Germany January 18,
1871. After many reverses to the French, a treaty of peace was signed February
26, 1871 by which Germany retains a part of Loraine, including Metz, and all of
Asace, excepting Belfort. In 1872 Emperor William rendered a decision in favor
of the United States of the Island of San Juan, in Puget Sound. The greatness
and power of Prussia (now the German Empire) though comparatively recent,
is now unquestioned and unquestionable — (Heir, Prince Frederick William,
born 1831 — married Victoria, Princess royal of England, January 25, 1858.)
POLAND
Poland became a duchy under Lesko about 550 A.D., and a kingdom under
Balesias 992. Under the reign of Sigismund I, (1506 to 1548) the kingdom at-
tained its highest pitch of dominion and splendor. Being weakened by the evils
of civil war, it fell on evil prey to the cupidity of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, and
subjected to three different partitions; the first in 1772; the second in 1793; the
third in 1795, when Stanislaus was dethroned, and unfortunate Poland, by an act
of the vilest tyranny, was blotted out from the list of kingdoms.
RUSSIA
The importance of Russia, now one of the most powerful empires of Eu-
rope, is of recent origin.
It embraces the eastern part of ancient Sarinatia. Rurie, a Varangian chief,
established the first government in 862 A.D. His descendants ruled amid many
vicissitudes, till 1598, being some 736 years, when the race became extinct. The
foundation of its present greatness was laid by Peter the Great, and its progress
under his reign and that of Catherine II is unequaled for rapidity in the history
 44
of the world. Peter I, and Ivan jointly succeeded their brother, in 1782. Ivan
IV, being deaf and dumb, Peter became the sole sovereign in 1689. In 1697 he
visited Holland and England, and worked in the shops and dockyards as a com-
mon laborer, and upon his return he introduced changes of manners and dress,
with many useful arts, which he forced upon his barbarous subjects, with great
vehemence. In 1700 the war between him and Char1es XII of Sweden began. At
first the Swedes always defeated the Russians but nothing disheartened he said
that the Swedes would yet teach the Russians how to win.
In 1709 (July 8) Charles XII was totally defeated at the decisive battle of
Pultowa, and fled to Turkey. In 1702 Peter laid the foundation of St. Petersburg
on the Neva. In 1713 he took the title of Emperor. After a long and splendid reign
of forty-three years, he died in 1725, and was succeeded by his wife as Catherine
1, who was Empress of Russia, as wife and succesor of Peter the Great, 1689 to
1727. Catherine II, who obtained the sceptre in 1762, by the dethronement and
murder of her husband Peter III (as is stated), had a long and splendid reign of
thirty-four years. She was one of the ablest and greatest sovereigns of the Rus-
sian Empire.
In 1828 Nicholas declared war against Turkey, invaded their dominions,
and after various conquests took the city of Adrianople, and dictated conditions
of pence. In 1848 Russia sent a powerful army to assist Austria in crushing out
an insurrection of the Hungarians. Alexander II, son of Nicholas, and present
emperor, succceded his father March 2, 1855. (Heir — Alexander; born March
10, 1848.)
DENMARK, SWEEDEN AND NORWAY
Sweeden and Norway formed the Scandinavia of the ancients, long the seat
of the Vandals and Goths. In 1837 Margaret, styled the “Semiarmis of the North,”
came to the throne of Denmark, and in 1389, Norway was united to Denmark,
and at the “Union of Calmar” in 1397, Sweeden was united to Denmark and
Norway, under Margaret. Under her inferior successors this union amounted to
nothing, and Sweeden was for a long time disturbed by insurrections and war.
The Sweedes are finally delivered from the yoke and oppression of Christian II
(called the Nero of the North) by Gustavus Vasa who was raised to the throne
of Sweeden by the treaty of Kiel while Pomerania and Rugen were annexed
to Denmark January 14, 1814. May 17th following, the Norwegians declared
their independence, when the Sweedish troops entered Norway July 16. 1814.
Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein, was elected King of Norway, but abdicated
October 10, 1814, when Charles XIII of Sweeden, accepted the Constitution
which declares Norway a free, and independent State united to Sweeden No-
vember 4, 1814. On the death of Charles XIII, in 1818, Bernadotte, one of
Bonaparte’s marshals, was raised to the throne as Charles XIV and after a peace-
ful and prosperous reign of twenty-six years, was succeeded in 1844 by his
son Oscar — Charles XV died in 1872, when he was succeeded by his brother,
Oscar II, Septelnber 18, 1872 — the present king.
 45
PORTUGAL
Thc ancient Portuguese struggled for nine years, before they finally submit-
ted to the Roman power 137 B.C. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Portugal
underwent the same general changes as her sister, Spain. It was overrun by the
Goths, and then by the Saracens, or Moors, who were expelled by Alphonso,
who then assumed the title of king, 1139 A.D. The one hundred and ninety-
seven years — from the accession of John I, 1383, to its union with Spain in
1580; forms the golden period of Portugal; which was illustrious for its exploits,
discoveries, and distinguishe men.
In 1580, Philip II, of Spain, seized upon Portugal, and united it to his
crown; but in 1640, the Spaniards were expelled, and John, Duke of Braganza,
the presumptive heir, was raised to the throne, in whose family it still remains.
The Portugues discovered Brazil, and colonized it, 1500–31, and it long formed
an important part of their dominions, and in 1809 when the French invaded
Portugal, and the court and royal family removed the seat of government to
Brazil, November 2, 1807, where they remained until July 4, 1821, when they
returned to Lisbon, with the exception of Peter, or Pedro, the King’s eldest son
who was left as Renget. Brazil was declared independent and Dom Pedro I was
made Emperor, October 12, 1822; but nine years after, in April 7, 1831, Dom
Pedro I abdicated, when he was succeeded by his son Dom Pedro II, the present
very able, highly intelligent, and worthy Emperor of Brazil.
SPAIN
Spain was very early settled by the descendants of Tubal, the fifth son of
Japheth, as is supposed. The Romans conquered the country about 133 B.C. On
the decline of the Roman power, the Vandals from the North drove the Romans
from Spain, but upon the invasion of the Visgoths, thc Vandals all passed over
to Africa, 425 A.D. Under Visigothic Spain “there is a dreary waste” for nearly
300 years. In 711 A.D. the Saracens established themselves at Cordova. Charles
Martel defeated the Saracens at Tours, October 10, 732, and checked their con-
quests, and thus saved Europe from Asiatic civilization. For several centuries
the history of Spain presents a continued struggle between the Christians and
Moors, and it was not until 1492 that Granada, their last possession in Spain,
was taken from them. Several distinct Christian kingdoms were established, the
most important of which were Castile and Leon, Aragon and Navarre. In 1474
Isabella became Queen of Castile, and married Ferdinand of Aragon, and upon
his succeeding his father as King of Aragon, in 1479, all of Spain became united
into one kingdom.
The reign of Ferdinand and Isabella formed an eventful period in the history
of Spain. The expulsion of the Moors, the union of the country into one king-
dom, and the discovery of America laid the foundation for a perpetual name,
an immense accession of wealth, and for vast colonial possessions in the New
World. During the sixteenth century Spain was regarded as the most formidable
power in Europe. In 1808 Charles IV was dethroned by Bonaparte, who placed
 46
his brother Joseph upon the throne. A sanguinary war ensued which lasted until
1844, when Ferdinand VII was established on the throne. From 1810 to 1821
all the Spanish colonies in North and South America revolted from Spain and
declared their independence. Alfonso XII, son of Isabella, was proclaimed King
December 31, 1874, and assumed the government January 9, 1875.
ARABIAN OR SARACEN EMPIRE
In 569 A.D., Maholnet, or Mohammed, was born in Mecca in Arabia. In
609 he proclaimed himself a prophet, and in 612 began to publish the Koran.
Being persecuted, and a plot formed to murder him, he fled from Mecca to
Medina in 622 A.D. This flight is called the Hegira, and forms the Mohammedan
Era. In 629 he suddenly appeared before Mecca with 10,000 followers, when
the city surrendered to Mahomet. He destroyed the idols of the Kaaba,* and
made their worship a capital offense. The Arabians were compelled to embrace
the doctrines of the prophet, and in 632 the conquest and conversion of Arabia
was complete. Mahomet died the same year, when Abubeker, his father-in-law,
succeeded to his authority, and took the title of Caliph, which included both
spiritual and secular authority. In 634 Omar I succeeded to the Caliphate, and
with the cry: “There is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet,” Syria, Persia,
Palestine, and Egypt were conquered and converted, and in 637 Omar founded
a mosque on the site of Solomon’s Temple. In 644 Omar was assassinated by
a Persian slave in the Mosque of Medina, which became but a precedent for a
thousand bloody tragedies of regicide, conspiracy, and massacre. The ten years
of Omar’s reign was the heroic age of Saracen history, in which the foundations
of this gigantic power were perfected. In his reign Alexandria was captured and
its celebrated library burnt. Extending their vast conquests in every direction,
in 712 a large part of Spain was subdued by the Saracens, but while entertain-
ing designs against France, and even all Europe, they were terribly defeated and
repulsed by Charles Martel, the Hammer, at Tours, October 10, 732. In 755 the
independent Caliphate of Cordova (in Spain) was formed, but the Arabs were
finally expelled from Spain in 1236 by Ferdinand III of Castile, being 524 years
after their first invasion of Spain in 712 A.D. The Saracen or Arabian Empire
began in 622 A.D., and after standing 314 years, it fell in 936. The governors of
its provinces having conspired together, each declared himself sovereign in his
respective government, leaving the Caliphs only Bagdad as the spiritual head of
the sect.
Seljukian Turks — In its divided and weakened condition, the Seljukian
Turks from the north of Tartary, under the leading of Togrul Beg, overran and
__________________________________________________________________
*NOTE: Mecca contained the Kaaba. or famous temple of the ancient Arabian su-
perstition, which had been held in especial veneration by the nation for many cen-
turies as the holiest seat of their idolatry, which comprehended the adoration of the
sun, moon, and fixed stars. Abdol Motalleb (grandfather of Mahomet), of the House
of Haschem, enjoyed the privilege of guarding this sacred temple.
 47
conquered most of the provinces, from 1032 to 1038, and reigned, he and his
descendants, for several successions, when revolts and anarchy ensued until
suppressed by Zengis Khan in 1206.
Empire of Zengis Khan — This powerful prince formed the largest empire
that the world ever saw, being double that of Alexander, or even of the Romans
(Prideaux). He was certainly the most ferocious and bloody military chieftain
that ever went forth for conquest. By his sword 14,000,000 persons perished,
under the pretense of estab1ishing the religion and worship of “One God, and
Mahomet is his Prophet.” His empire was of short duration, continuing through
several descents, when from its ruins another Mogul Empire was founded by the
famous Timour, or Tamerlane.
Empire of the Tamerlane — He began his reign in 1368–9, and during his
thirty-six years of conquests and subjugation, under the principle that “Heaven
has but one God and the Earth should have but one Master,” he extended his domin-
ions from the Pacific Ocean to the Grecian Archipelago. His posterity reigned in
India, until the death of Tippoo Saib in 1719, since which time India has been
under the dominion of England.
TURKEY OR THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
The Turks were originally a tribe of Tartars, but by incorporation with the
various people they have conquered, they must be regarded as a mixed race.
About 760 A.D., they obtained possession of a part of Armenia, called by them
Turcomania. They gradually extended their power, but their dominions were
soon divided into petty states, when they were united by Othman, or Ottoman,
in 1281, who was then created Sultan of Sultanoni, in Asia Minor. In 1291 they
drove the Latins out of Acre, and took Palestine from the Christians, which
ended the Crusades.
In 1298 or 9, Othman established his empire at Prusa in Bithynia from
which period is dated the rise of the Ottoman Empire. In 1301 Bithynia was rav-
aged and wholly subdued, followed by the conquests of Nice, Rhodes, etc., in
1307. In 1361 Thrace was conquered under Amurath I, who made Adrianople
the seat of his government. Bajazet I, his successor, made large conquests from
the Eastern or Greek empire, and in 1453 Mohammed II took Constantinople,
which has ever since remained the seat of the Ottoman or Turkish empire. (The
conquest put an end to the Eastern or Greek empire.) The Turks afterwards
widely extended their empire in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and obtained pos-
session of the greater parts of the countries, most celebrated in ancient history.
Egypt was conquered by Selim I, in 1517. The forty-six years reign of his son
Solyman, the magnificent, which began in 1520, was the most illustrious and
progressive, in the annals of Turkish history. In 1638, Bagdad was taken by
Amurath IV, from Persia, with great slaughter.
In the eighteenth century its power materially declined, ending with a di-
sastrous war with Russia and Austria in 1787–91. Another war fol1owed with
England, France, and Russia, in 1807, and in 1827 to 29. Egypt and Servia
 48
revolted in 1806, and the Turkish power was much weakened by the revolt and
independence of Greece in 1830.
The Russo-Turkish war began November 4, 1853, which ended in Sep-
tember 1854, by the Russians retiring from the invaded provinces. Insurrec-
tions and wars have followed to the present year, during which the present war
with Servia, etc., broke out in July last, and followed soon after by the sudden
decrease of Abdul-Aziz, and the elevation to the throne of the present Sultan,
Abdul-Hamid. The issues involved in the present war are as yet undetermined,
and awaited with anxious interest.
JAPAN
The empire of Japan composed of five large and many small islands, equals
in antiquity, that of some of the first nations of the earth. Its history, like the
empire, to the outside world, has remained sealed and unknown. But its recent
revolutions and advances in a liberal civilization, are without a parallel in the
history of nations. Its 278 military princes possessing regal power. vast wealth
and separate armies, have recently abdicated from purely patriotic motives, the
stations which their families have held for twenty centuries.
Their tycoon Mutsu-Hita, who succeeded his father in 1867, and whose
power is absolute — an heir of the oldest dynasty in the world — a cloistered
emperor whose house “dates from Nebuchadnezzer,” who before 1868 had nev-
er seen the outside of his own palace, and who, in fact, was deemed too sacred
to touch the earth, has just been assisting at the opening of a new railway.
Awakening from the strange delusion of such decayed superstitions, and
opening his eyes to the fact that both he and his people are creatures of this
earth; and his nation but a small part of its mutual dependencies; he is now
busily engaged in the inventive and artistic results of the world’s genius and
civilization, upon his appreciative and willing people.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Though the last country in history, it is by no means the least in interest and
importance to the world.
Obtaining assistance from Ferdinand and Isabel1a of Spain, Christopher
Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the Santa Maria (accompanied by two
other small vessels) and on 12th day of October, 1492, he discovered San Sal-
vado, one of the Bahamian Islands. Six years later, in 1498, he discovered the
main continent of America.
The first settlements made in the United States were unsuccessful and of
short duration.
The first permanent settlement by the English was made by “the London
Company,” at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 (see the upper blue line representing
Virginia, beginning 1607) though St. Augustine in Florada had been settled by
the Spanish in 1564–5. New York was settled by the Dutch in 1613, Massachu-
setts by the English in 1620, New Hampshire by the English in 1623, Delaware
 49
and New Jersey by the Swedes in 1627, etc. (see the beginning of each colony
and the date of its settlement upon the Chart). Many thrilling and interesting
events transpired during the settlement and growth of the colonies, both among
themselves and with the Native Indians. The homes and native forests of the lat-
ter have been absorbed by the encroachments of the former.

“The axe now in his forests sounds,

The plow is in his hunting grounds,
No history to record his wrongs,
Save One who an impartial record keeps.”

In 1631 the Pequod War, in Connecticut, took place. King Phillip’s War began
in 1675 in Massachusetts, which ended with his death in 1676. In 1687 the
Connecticut Charter was hid in the “Charter Oak.” In 1692 the Salem Witch-
craft delusion prevailed. “The French and English War,” consisting of France and
her colonies, largely aided by the Indians, on one side and England and her
colonies, with a few Indians, on the other, broke out in 1753, which prevailed
until 1763, when a treaty of peace was signed at Paris, by which France ceded
to England all her American possessions east of the Mississippi river, and north
of Louisiana. During this war, a small force led by George Washington, engaged
a detatchment of French at Great Meadows, May 28, 1754, killing and capturing
all but one, and on the 4th of July following, he was compelled to surrender to
the French at Fort Necessity. General Braddock was defeated by the French and
Indians July 9,1755, at Monongehela. The French, under Montcalm, surren-
dered Quebec to the English, led by Wolfe, September 18, 1759. Both Generals
fell at that fierce and bloody battle. The French, after extensive preparations,
engaged the English three miles above Qucbec, on the 18th of April, 1760, and
after one of the most desperate battles of the war, the French were defeated,
when, by a capitulation the whole of Canada was surrendered to the English.
The Pontiac War occurred in 1763.
The American Revolution — In prosecuting the French and Indian war Eng-
land had largely increased the national debt. The “Navigation Act,” the “Stamp
Act,” the “Writs of Asistance,” etc. were bitterly resisted by the colonies, deny-
ing the right of “taxation without representation,” which finally resulted in the
“Boston Massacre” of March 5, 1770, and the “Boston Tea Party” of December
1773. The inflexible purpose of England, and the equally determined spirit of
opposition in the colonies, resulted in an actual collision, and “the first blood of
the Revolution” at Lexington, April 19,1775. More vigorous measures of aggres-
sion and defense, culminated in the capture of Ticonderoga by Col. Ethan Allen,
May 10, 1775, and the battle of Bunker Hill, and the death of General Joseph
Warren, June 17, 1775.
Nine different engagements and battles took place, when on the 4th day
of July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental
 50
Congress at Philadelphia. Forty-three other battles followed, the last of which
was the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, October 19, 1781. After the war
of the Revolution had lasted six years and six months, a final treaty of peace was
signed at Paris, September 3, 1783. Six years of peace followed the Revolution
under the “Articles of Confederation.” Under this confederation of the colonists
it was found that their Congress had no power to raise money and pay the
debts incurred by the war. The individual States being called upon for funds,
their efforts to raise them by taxation produced great opposition, especially in
Massachusetts, where it grew into an open insurrection known as “ Shay’s Rebel-
lion.” “In order to form a more perfect union” a National Convention was held at
Philadelphia, with Washington as President, and after four months deliberation,
the Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787, which being ratified by the
requisite number of States, went into operation March 4, 1789. Under this Con-
stitution, the following Presidents and Vice-Presidents have been elected:
I. 1789 to 1797, President, George Washington, of Virginia, two terms,
eight years, party, Federalist. Vice-President, John Adams, of Massachusetts, two
terms, eight years.
II. 1797 to 1801, President, John Adams of Massachusetts, one term, four
years, party, Federalist. Vice President, Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, one term,
four years.
In 1800 the seat of Government was removed from Philadelphia to the City
of Washington.
III. 1801 to 1809, President, Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, two terms, eight
years, party, Democratic. Vice-President, Aaron Burr, of New York, one term,
four years. (Duel of Burr and A. Hamilton, July 11, 1804.)
1805 to 1809, Vice-President, George Clinton, of New York.
IV. 1809 to 1817, President, James Madison, of Virginia, two terms, eight
years, party, Republican. Vice-President, George Clinton, of New York, one term,
four years. 1811 to 1817, Vice President, Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, one
term, four years.
“War of 1812” to 1815, with England, and with the Indians in the Northwest.
V. 1817 to 1825, President, James Monroe, of Virginia, two terms, eight
years, party, Republican. Vice-President, Daniel Tompkins, of New York, two
terms, eight years.
VI. 1825 to 1829, President, John Q. Adams, of Massachusetts, one term,
four years, Republican. Vice-President, John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, one
term, four years.
VII. 1829 to 1837, President, Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, two terms,
eight years, Democratic. Vice-President, John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina,
one term, four years. 1833 to 1837, Vice President. Martin Van Buren of New
York, one term, four years.
VIII. 1837 to 1841, President, Martin Van Buren, of New York, one term,
four years, Democratic. Vice-President, Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky, one
term, four years.
 51
IX. 1841 to 1845, President, William H. Harrison, of Ohio, died April 4,
1841, party, Whig.
X. 1841 to 1845, Vice-President, John Tyler, of Virginia. Became President
April 4, 1841.
XI. 1845 to 1849, President, James K. Polk, of Tennessee, one term, four
years, Democratic. Vice-President, George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, one term,
four years. The Mexican War began May 3, 1846, and ended October 18, 1847,
lasting seventeen and a half months.
XII. 1849 to 1853, President, Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana; died July 9,
1850, party, Whig.
XII. Vice-President, Millard Fillmore, of New York; became President, July
9, 1850.
XIV. 1853 to 1857, President, Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, one
term, four years, Democratic. Vice-President, William R. King of Alabama, died
April 18, 1853.
XV. 1857 to 1861, President, James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, one term,
four years, Democratic. Vice-President, John C. Breckinridge. of Kentucky.
XVI. 1861 to 1869, President, Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, assassinated
April 14, 1865, Republican. Vice-President, Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine.
XVII. 1865 to 1869, Vice-President, Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee. Became
President April 14, 1965-69. The American Civil War began April 14, 1861, and
ended April 12, 1865, lasting four years, less two days.
XVIII. 1869 to 1877, President, Ulysses S. Grant, of Illinois, two terms,
eight years, Republican. Vice-President, Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, one term,
four years. 1873 to 1877, Vice-President, Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, died
November 22, 1875.
XIX. 1877 to 1881, President, Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, one term, four
years, Republican. Vice-President, William A. Wheeler, of New York, one term,
four years.
The chart shows the time of the settlement of each State and the time of its
admission into the Union. For example, California was settled in 1769 by the
Spanish, was ceded to the United States in 1848 — the thirty-first State in the
Union — was admitted in 1850 — the red of California terminating in the yellow
of Millard Fillmore, showing that it was under his administration.
Inventions, Discoveries, Events, etc. (see pictures above the stream of time).
Picture of the Castle, to call attention to the Federal System, that existed from
the seventh to the eleventh century.
Chivalry and Knight-errantry, that prevailed from the eighth to the fifteenth
century.
1154. The leaning tower of Pisa erected.
1227. The Bible divided into chapters by Cardinal Hugo, and in 1551 into
verses by Robert Stephens.
1240. Houses In London were still thatched with straw with windows of
lattice or paper, and without chimneys, but in
 52
1300. Chimneys and glass windows began to be introduced.
1256. The Pillory established by law by Henry III. Abolished in 1837.
1260. Magic Lantern invented by Roger Bacon.
1280. Spectacles, glass mirrors, etc., invented by Roger Bacon.
1302. The Mariners’ compass invented by Flavio Gioia.
1308. William Tell, the Swiss patriot, shoots an apple from his son’s head.
1327. First cannon, used by Edward III, called “Cracky on War.”
1378. The Culverin, or hand cannon, used.
1348. The oldest clock known put up — in Dover Castle.
1380. Wickliff’s translation of the Bible made.
1391. Playing cards invented in France to amuse Charles VI.
1400. Muskets and air-guns invented.
1425. Pumps in general use in England.
1431. Joan of Arc burnt May 31.
1440. John Guttenburg invented the art of printing by movable type.
1477. First watches made at Nuremburg, called “Nuremburg eggs.”
1481. Post horses established by Edward IV to bring the news from the war
in Scotland.
1492. Columbus crossed the ocean in the Santa Maria and discovered the
island of San Salvador. He showed his jealous friends that it was an easy matter
for them to make an egg stand on end — after he had shown the way.
1492. Tobacco found at St. Domingo, which soon came into use.
1506. The St. Peter’s Basilica was commenced by Julius II.
1530. Copernicus taught the true system of astronomy, that the sun is the
center of the solar system, around which the planetary system revolves.
1530. The spinning wheel invented; twisting of thread, etc., previously
done by hand.
1600–10. Galileo invented the thermometer, the telescope, and discovered
the isochronal vibrations of the pendulum.
1607–11. The authorized version of the Scriptures made by James I.
1616. William Harvey, M.D., discovered the circulation of the blood.
1630. The first newspaper, The Gazette, published in Venice, and the first in
England, The Gazette, in 1665.
1666. Sir Isaac Newton discovered the principle of gravity by watching the
falling apple, and the law governing its operations.
1752. Benjamin Franklin discovered the identity of electricity and light-
ning, and lightning rods used soon after.
1773. Battle of Bunker Hill; first regular battle of the Revolution.
1784. James Watt discovered the power of steam by watching the boiling
tea-kettle.
1783. Stephen Montgolfier raised the first balloon, in France.
1784. First mail carried by coaches; London to Bristol.
1807. The first passenger steamboat, the “Clermont” ran on the Hudson
River by Robert Fulton.
 53
1827. The “Book of Mormon,” published by Joseph Smith.
1830. The first locomotive, or steam passenger railway in the United States;
between Albany and Schenectady.
1839. Daguerre succeeded in obtaining the first Daguerreotype likeness;
being the foundation of our now highly perfected and invaluable system of pho-
tography.
1844. The first telegraph line in America, between Washington and Balti-
more, by Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse. and in
1867. The “Atlantic telegraph cable,” laid between England and America;
by which time and space are annihilated, and the world brought into a universal
and instantaneous communication.
IRELAND — THE EMERALD ISLE
Ireland was called Hiebernia by the ancients. It is said that the Pheonicians
and Carthaginians made voyages and planted colonies there several centuries
before the Christian era. About 200 B.C. a large number of Scotti or Milesians
emigrated from Spain to Ireland. These were Celts, and laid the foundation
of the Irish nation. Ireland was never attacked by the Romans or Saxons. The
priests were Druids, a branch of these being magistrates and Judges. The people
were in a very rude state, and wars between the chieftains were frequent.
Christianity was introduced about 432 to 450 by the celebrated St. Pat-
rick, and after a time Ireland becme the seat of numerous churches, and many
learned priests.
In 795 A.D. the Danes and Normans invaded Ireland, and in about 800 they
built Dublin and other cities.
King Brian Boru obtained a great victory over the Danes, April 23, 1014,
and their power was finally overthrown.
In the eighth and ninth centuries the country was divided between quite a
multitude of chiefs, and about two hundred of them are said to have been slain
in battle.
About 1086 the country was divided into five kingdoms, Ulster, Leinster,
Meath, Connaught, and Munster, besides a number of petty principalities, whose
sovereigns were continually at war with each other.
After several invasions of Ireland by the English, Henry I landed at Wa-
terford in 1171, when a part of the people submitted to his authority. This is
called the “Conquest of Ireland,” and from that time England claimed dominion
over that country. Ireland was wholly subdued, and English laws and customs
introduced by King John in 1210. The Irish have since made frequent attempts
to obtain their independence, but without success. The Irish are remarkable for
their wit, cheerfulness, and warmth of heart.
They have furnished some of the most brilliant examples in the highest
ranks of genius.
Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, Henry Grattan, Richard Steele, John P.
Curran, Edmund Burke, Thomas Moore, Lord Wellington, and Daniel O’Connell,
 54
were all Irishmen and are names that will shine with a luster uneclipsed and
fadeless, in all coming time.
SWITZERLAND — HELVETIA
The canton of Schweitz, was peopled by the Cimbrians, who leaving their
native homes in Scandinavia, invaded Italy, and were defeated by the Roman
general Marius, after which they fled into Switzerland about 100 B.C. This can-
ton has given name to the whole confederacy. The country was called Helvetia by
the Romans, by whom it was conquered about 15 B.C. who sent colonies there
and introduced the arts of civilization.
About 612 A.D. the Helvetians were converted to Christianity. In 1032 it
became subject to Germany under Conrad II. At length, incensed by the op-
pressions and tyrany of Albert of Austria, the son of Rodolph of Hapsburg, the
three cantons of Schweitz, Uri, and Unterwalden rose in rebellion in 1306 A.D.
They were led by the patriot William Tell, the “Hero of Switzerland,” and in the
year 1307 achieved their independence. In 1308 the Helvetic Confederacy was
formed, which was joined by the canton of Lucerne in 1335, and by Zurich in
1350. In 1351 Berne, Glaris, and Zug joined, since which time many other can-
tons have been admitted to the confederacy. By their patriotism and with their
lives, they maintained a disputed independence until the Swiss Confederacy was
acknowledged by France and other powers in 1516.
In 1798, France subjugated the country and dissolved the Helvetic Confed-
eration. In 1815 its independence was again secured by the Treaty of Vienna.
Twenty-two cantons now compose the confederacy, which are governed by a
national council and an annual President under a Constitution.

__________________________________________________________________
NOTE: The victory of Agincourt was in 1415 (October 25) and was obtained by
Henry V and not by Henry IV, as he died March 20, 1413. The dates given should
prevent any misconception, as there was no room to put that statement on the 9
years reign of Henry V.
 FOUND AT LAST!
A KEY TO THE

WORLD’S HISTORY,
OR

The History of the World at a Glance!

IN
Adams’ Synchronological Chart
G. McCLOSKIE, L.L.D., Prof. of Nat. History Princeton College: “It is worth a
library of books on the subject of history.”
REV. T. A. McCURDY, D.D., Wooster, Ohio: “My children knew more of history al-
ter three months with Adams’ Chart than I did when I graduated from College.”
RENDELL PHILLIPS and JOSEPH COOK, Boston, Mass.: “No better instrument,
I think can be found for domestic or academic instruction than Adams’ Synchro-
nological Chart of History. Let children grow up with it in their daily sight, and
they cannot fail, even the dullest, to get familiar with all the leading events of
human history, its great men, its wars inventions, arts, and general progress. It
would almost supply the place of a teacher. To a thoughtful and painstaking child,
it would be invaluable.” “I heartily concur in Mr. Phillips’ opinion.”- JOSEPH
COOK
SIR CHAS. REED, Pres’t of the London School Board, said: “The author of that work
does not need a monument over his grave.”
EDWARD F. NOYES, United States Minister at Paris: “It is the most instructive
instrument I ever saw. Not a day passes but that Mrs. Noyes and myself refer to,
and as for my boy, he knows more history today that I did when I commenced
practice.”
PROF. DAVID SWING, Chicago: “It is a valuable aid to me. I think it would be of
great use to any family.”
GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA, one of England’s ablest authors, says in the Lon-
don Illustrated News, of Nov. 8th, 1879: “Imagine ‘Haydn’s Dictionary of Dates,’
plus ‘Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible,’ plus the ‘Complete Gazetteer,’ plus all
Maunder’s ‘Treasuries,’ made graphic, and you gather some idea of the nature of
this portentous work.”
 56
JUDGE E.R. PAIGE, Pres’t of Iowa College of Sciences: “Your system is an orderly
arrangement of knowledge. You have rendered this meaning in its fullest strength,
gathering the salient points from hundreds of volumes, bring them within easy
reach of the inquirer, and arranging them in synchronological rotation, thereby
fixing each incident by a land-mark on the memory.”
A.D. HAGER, Secretary Chicago Historical Society: “It indicates at a glance the date,
progress, and synchronism of historic events, as clearly as could be learned in
days and weeks in ordinary historical works.”
REV. H.W. THOMAS, D.D., Chicago: “By this connected line of history the memory
is not only aided in holding and classifying events, but a sense of vividness and
interest is thereby imparted to the whole scene.”
FRANCES E. WILLARD, Chicago: “With it there is no trouble in placing any bio-
graphical acquaintance who lived in any country of the world. A child can under-
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and blood, and gives life and reality to the study. It would be valuable in every
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said: “I have found valuable information on this chart in 5 minutes that would
have taken hours of research elsewhere, and the correctness of it is marvelous.”
T.W. HARVEY, ESQ., Chicago: “I would not be without it for ten times its cost.”
HON. WM. CASSIUS GOODLOE, United States Minister at Brussels, said: “I was
in Rome when you were there, and talked with Mr. Marsh, our minister, and Dr.
Nevens, rector of the American church, about this chart. I am satisfied of its great
value, and when you come to Brussels I will introduce you to the people I know
there. I will also give you a letter of endorsement. You may put me down for a
copy of the work.”
S.L. CLEMENS, (Mark Twain) said in his characteristic way: “Good thing! Haven’t
got time to study it now! I’ll have this one. How much is the thing, anyhow?”
REV. A.E. KITTREDGE, Pastor Third Presbyterian Church, Chicago: “I can most
cheerfully recommend this Chart as of great value to every student of the Bible,
and especially Sunday School teachers.”
DR. JAMES BELVIN, graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, and one of
the most promising American physicians of Paris, said: “If physicians knew what
an amount of time that work saves, they would all have it. I entertained a whole
dinner party the other evening for about one hour, and never saw persons more
interested. I would not take $1,000 for my copy if I could not replace it.”
MRS. MUNROE, widow of the late John Munroe, Banker, Paris, said: “I am delighted
with the work. It is just what my children want. Let me give you these letters to
some of my intimate friends, whom I am sure will take copies.”
RANDOLPH ROGERS, ESQ., the celebrated American sculptor, Rome, said: “I
showed it to Signor Bonghi, the ex-minister of Public instruction, and one of the
 57
most learned men in Italy. He pronounced it the most complete work he had ever
seen.”
CHICAGO “TRIBUNE”: “A most desirable plan — the best kind that has ever been
offered.”
REV. E.P. GOODWIN, Chicago: “I heartily commend it to every family.”
REV. J.M. GIBSON, Chicago: “I much regret I had not such an aid in my younger
days.”
ANNE HAMPTON BREWSTER, of Rome, correspondent of the Philadelphia “Tele-
graph,” and Boston “Daily Advertiser,” said: “I want it to carry into the country
with me in place of a whole box full of historical books and charts, as it is of more
value than all the rest put together.”
HON. C.E. LIPPINCOTT, late Auditor General of Illinois: “If I could reach and
influence the public, I am sure the chart would be in every house where there are
adults who wish to understand human history; or young people to be educated.
Even in these hard times, to have seen it is, for me, to be compelled to purchase
it.”
C.H. PAYNE, D.D., Pres’t Ohio Western University, Delaware, Ohio: “It is a most
valuable aid in acquiring or imparting to others a knowledge of the world’s his-
tory. It is a most effective method of object teaching. Aided by the eye, the mind
grasps at a glance historic facts which without such aid it would require long study
to acquire, and it retains the facts thus gained, when otherwise they would soon
slip from the memory.”
REV. J.H. VINCENT, D.D. Plainfield, N.J.: “It is a text book, a library of history
in one.”
REV. JAMES OSTRANDER: “It is a lightning calculator of all history. I have been
gratified to find upon it in a few minutes, facts which it would have cost me hours
of research to find, should I have consulted books. Its accuracy is a marvel.”
SAMUEL WILLARD, Prof. of History, Chicago High School: “There are few who will
not find it a help.”
BISHOP J.H. HOBART BROWN, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin: “I have examined ‘Ad-
ams’ Chart of History’ with much interest. I have long been familiar with the
principles on which it is constructed, and think them sound and valuable. Please
send me a copy in book form.”
A.A. LIVERMORE, Pres’t of Meadville (Pa.) Theological School (Unitarian): “The
great advantage of the work is its economy in enabling one to arrive at important
facts by a bird’s eye-view, and without consulting many works at much expendi-
ture of time and cost of trouble. We commend it to students and readers.”
REV. ISAAC ERRETT, Editor Christian Standard, Cincinnati, O: “This map of his-
tory is a marvel of skill and accuracy, and in my judgment meets a general want.
To train students in a knowledge of leading historical events and chronology it is
the happiest effort known to me.”
MAJOR HENRY M. ROBERT, U.S. Engineers (author of Robert’s Rules of Order):
“A useful aid in systematizing one’s knowledge of the principal facts in history.”
 58
F.RED S. JEWELL, A. M., Ph.D., Cathedral School, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin: “I
have with my assistant teachers and advanced pupils, given a careful examina-
tion to Adams’ Map of History, to the delight of all, and to the satisfying of myself,
that it is incomparable as an aid to the study of general history: the best founda-
tion on which to build; the best companion in the continuous pursuit of the study;
the best field for review; in short, the best practical Cyclopaedia for reference, that
I not only have known, but that seems to me possible to construct.”
ALONZO ABERNETHY, Pres’t Chicago University, and late State Supt. Public In-
struction for the State of Iowa: “It is simple, accurate, compact, and comprehen-
sive. Its use will tend to popularize and facilitate the study of history. I heartily
recommend it.”
W.J. CHETWOOD CRAWLEY, B.A., Author of Manual of Historical Geography,
Etc., Queen’s Service Academy, Dublin, Ireland: “I think the work likely to prove
of the greatest advantage, not only in ordinary school education, but also in the
instruction of ‘children of a larger growth.’ On testing the details I have found
them on the whole surprisingly accurate and illustrated in a manner likely to
impress the facts on the memory.”
REV. SUMNER ELLIS, Pastor, Church of the Redeemer, Chicago: “After having
made use of Adams’ Map of History for several months, I am prepared to com-
mend it as one of the best helps in the study of history I have ever met with.”
CLEVELAND LEADER: “This Chart embodies the first successful attempt to place
the history of the world before the eye with the distinctness of photography and yet
with the simplicity of a panorama. The value of such a work cannot be estimated
until it has been examined and used.”
SCIENTFIC AMERICAN: “The plan adopted is a very ingenious one — is such
that the student sees at a glance exactly the condition of the world at any given
date.”
BAPTIST WEEKLY, N.Y.: “We are amazed at the wonderful conception of the au-
thor, and the magnificent execution of it. While so splendid for the advanced
reader, it is so comprehensive that even a child may understand it, and enrich his
mind with its world of events. One hour’s study of this chart will give a person
a better idea of the world’s history than a day’s perusal of the best compendium
ever published.”

These comprise but a few of the thousands of testimonials as to

the value and merits of the work. (See last page for description.)
 DESCRIPTION
Mr. Adams, in early, as in later life, was a studious and earnest scholar. He
was graduated at Knox College in 1837, and in 1856 took charge of McMinville
College, Oregon. As pupil and as teacher, he was continually impressed by the
fact that, while the student of geography was greatly aided in learning from
maps the whereabouts of the lands which have been inhabited by the tribes
and nations long since passed away, of the location of battle grounds and razed
cities, as of the countries discovered and peopled in modern times; the seeker
after the originators and causes of events now flowering from bulbs which early
planters sowed upon either bank of the great stream of Society, down which has
floated to us the experiences, the operations of principles, and motives of other
lives; affording as tradida the real characters of those who to their immediate
contemporaries were hidden by masks; or synonymed with their banners; as
well as the emptiness of power and fame to satisfy when possessed, “the sons
of God” were lost amid the stalactites of rubbished data, from which they must
emerge at last, wearied and disappointed, having but fragments as their wage,
when they had hoped to bring back the whole; impelled by this necessity, Mr.
Adams matured his plan of building a turnpike from the now, back to the Eden
of Armenia, where dwelt the progenitor of our race.
The author has with a vast amount of critical study and adjustment, planned
and executed his work upon the principle that what we see in picture is remem-
bered, while what we read is soon forgotten; and he has with consumate skill pro-
duced what has been styled a photograph of universal history and chronology.
This chromo-lithograph (mounted on canvas) is about twenty-two feet long,
by two and one-quarter feet wide, and is folded into portfolio form and neatly
bound for individual use so the folds can be turned like the leaves of a book, or
it can be stretched out at full length. It is also attached to rollers with cranks, by
which it is turned either way, as a panorama.
The length of the chart is divided by perpendicular lines into the fifty-nine
centuries and their decades; across these century spaces pass from left to right
colored lines or streams that represent the different historic nations (and lives of
the patriarchs) and change their color to indicate every change of rulers; these
streams divide, sub-divide, unite, or disappear according to the record of the
nation represented; thus every nation with its consecutive rulers and all the
leading facts of history are placed upon a fixed scale and presented to the eye
in their proper relations as to time, just as geographically a map locates towns,
rivers, and countries. Meridians intersect places of the same longitude, to the
same manner that century and decade lines on this chart mark contemporane-
ous nations, rulers, and events.
The origin of nations, their grand march through the centuries, and their final
overthrow, are prominent features, while the confused mass of dates and events
 60
that usually comprises our knowledge of history, is so sifted and synchronized, so
lighted with colors, models, and illustrations, that the centuries of the past seem
transformed into individual realities, marked with their peculiar characteristics.
The plan of the chart is so simple that children can readily understand it, and so
comprehensive that it is in itself an historical cyclopaedia for the mature scholar.
Beginning at the left (everything runs from left to right, from the past to
the present), among the world’s great eras and events so attractively presented
on this panorama, we note, in the line of sacred history, the genealogy of the
patriarchs, the genealogy of Christ, the Deluge, the call of Abraham, bondage
in Egypt, the Exodus, division of the kingdom, loss of the ten tribes, captivity
in Babylon, restoration and the crucifixion. In secular history we trace the lines
of Phoenicia, Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria, and Greece for 1,700 years, and find
few changes. Then we see indicated the fall of Babylon, the massing of power
under the great Persian empire, Alexander’s kingdom, Rome engulfing the na-
tional streams of the world, its fall in the fifth century A.D., and the rise and
progress to the present time. This chart gives us a vivid picture of the stream of
time as it flows by the centuries like so many mile-stones on its banks. As we
glide along, the eye, delighted with the varying colors, takes notes of all the great
landmarks — progressive nations, pivotal heroes, and epochal events. It puts us
in communication with remote ages and distant countries, portrays manners,
customs, and institutions in so many object lessons, and gives us, through these
varied forms, such realistic and enduring perceptions of great personages, na-
tions, and events as deepen the impressions and emphasize the convictions of
even the most thorough historians. As the eye traverses the painted canvas, the
imagination is enabled to contemplate the grand panorama of the progress of
the race. Back of each great name we see the magnitudes of struggling men and
women for whom it stands, and we behold with intense satisfaction that, in spite
of many fatal blunders of the wisest of these representatives, and the more nu-
merous sinister projects of the self-seeking ones, the march of the race has been
on the whole onward and upward. We cannot fail to learn a love of truth, justice,
and freedom for this survey, nor to appreciate the blessings of a civilization pur-
chased by so many sacrifices and sufferings. We feel ourselves linked with the
countries and nameless millions as well as with the ten thousand heroes of the
past in securing the great results which the race has already attained.
History is the memory of the world, and the race’s biography of its children —
the nations; and where its true spirit has once seized the mind, its study becomes
more fascinating than romance, more instructive than philosophy, more delightful
than poetry, more persuasive than oratory, and more moral than didactics.
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