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PREFACE.

THIS library History of the British Empire is based on Dr. W. F. Collier's larger "History of England." All the best features of the original work have been retained. At the same time, the narrative has been brought into harmony with the results of recent historical research, and has been continued to the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Its title THE GRAPHIC HISTORY-is justified not only by its picturesque style, but also by its contents and its plan. It is arranged, not according to dynasties and reigns, but according to the prominent features of each age, including representative men as well as memorable events. It is a series of pictures showing, on a broad canvas and without too many details, the great movements-political, social, educational, and religious-which embody essentially the history of the British Islands and the British people. Special chapters treat of the social life and the constitutional features of each period; while others are biographical, and others are literary.

The great periods into which the whole history is divided are intended to indicate the development of the constitution-at least after the Norman Conquest. These periods are―

I. CELTIC AND ROMAN BRITAIN.

II. THE OLD ENGLISH KINGDOMS.

III. FEUDAL MONARCHY.

IV. ABSOLUTE MONARCHY.

V. LIMITED MONARCHY.