Chapter 15

A story of old days in America when Detroit was a frontier town and the shores of Lake Erie were held by hostile Indians under Pontiac. The hero, Donald Hester, goes in search of his sister Edith, who has been captured by the Indians. Strange and terrible are his experiences: for he is wounded, taken prisoner, condemned to be burned, and contrives to escape. In the end there is peace between Pontiac and the English, and all things terminate happily for the hero. One dares not skip a page of this enthralling story.

THE WHITE CONQUEROR

A Tale of Toltec and Aztec.ByKirk Munroe. With 8 full-page illustrations byW. S. Stacey. 12mo, $1.25.

“The story is replete with scenes of vivid power; it is full of action and rapid movement; and he must be deficient in receptive faculty who fails to gain valuable historical instruction, along with the pleasure of reading a tale graphically told.”—Philadelphia Bulletin.

STORIES OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND HISTORY ByHenrietta Christian Wright.

A NEW VOLUME JUST ISSUED.

CHILDREN’S STORIES IN AMERICAN LITERATURE, 1660-1860. 12mo, $1.25.

Miss Wright here continues her attractive presentation of literary history begun in her “Children’s Stories in English Literature.” Elliot, the translator of the Bible into the English language, Irving, Cooper, Prescott, Holmes, Longfellow, Hawthorne, Mrs. Stowe, Whittier, Poe, and Emerson are here considered, bringing the history of the subject down to the period of the Civil War, and treated with constant reference to that side of their works and personalities which most nearly appeals to children.

CHILDREN’S STORIES IN ENGLISH LITERATURE.Two volumes:Talièsin to Shakespeare, Shakespeare to Tennyson. 12mo, each, $1.25.

“It is indeed a vivid history of the people as well as a story of their literature: and, brief as it is, the author has so deftly seized on all the salient points, that the child who has read this book will be more thoroughly acquainted than many a student of history with the life and thought of the centuries over which the work reaches.”—The Evangelist.

CHILDREN’S STORIES OF THE GREAT SCIENTISTS.With portraits. 12mo, $1.25.

“The author has succeeded in making her pen-pictures of the great scientists as graphic as the excellent portraits that illustrate the work. Around each name she has picturesquely grouped the essential features of scientific achievement.”—Brooklyn Times.

CHILDREN’S STORIES OF AMERICAN PROGRESS.Illustrated. 12mo, $1.25.

“Miss Wright is favorably known by her volume of well-told ‘Stories in American History’: and her ‘Stories of American Progress’ is equally worthy of commendation. Taken together they present a series of pictures of great graphic interest. The illustrations are excellent.”—The Nation.

CHILDREN’S STORIES IN AMERICAN HISTORY.Illustrated. 12mo, $1.25.

“A most delightful and instructive collection of historical events, told in a simple and pleasant manner. Almost every occurrence in the gradual development of our country is woven into an attractive story for young people.”—San Francisco Evening Post.

G. A. HENTY’S POPULAR STORIES FOR BOYS

New Volumes for 1895-96. Each, crown 8vo, handsomely illustrated, $1.50.

Mr. Henty, the most popular writer of Books of Adventure in England, adds three new volumes to his list this fall—books that will delight thousands of boys on this side who have become his ardent admirers.

“Mr. Henty’s books never fail to interest boy readers. Among writers of stories of adventure he stands in the very first rank.”—Academy, London.

“No country nor epoch of history is there which Mr. Henty does not know, and what is really remarkable is that he always writes well and interestingly. Boys like stirring adventures, and Mr. Henty is a master of this method of composition.”—New York Times.

A KNIGHT OF THE WHITE CROSS

A Tale of the Siege of Rhodes.With 12 full-page illustrations.

Gervaise Tresham, the hero of this story, joins the Order of the Knights of St. John, and leaving England he proceeds to the stronghold of Rhodes, and becomes a page in the household of the Grand Master. Subsequently, Gervaise is made a Knight of the Grand Cross for valor, while soon after he is appointed commander of a war-galley, and in his first voyage destroys a fleet of Moorish corsairs. During one of his cruises the young knight is attacked on shore, captured after a desperate struggle, and sold into slavery in Tripoli. He succeeds in escaping, however, and returns to Rhodes in time to take part in the splendid defence of that fortress. Altogether a fine chivalrous tale, of varied interest and full noble daring.

THE TIGER OF MYSORE

A Story of the War W\with Tippoo Saib.With 12 full-page illustrations.

Dick Holland, whose father is supposed to be a captive of Tippoo Saib, goes to India to help him to escape. He joins the army under Lord Cornwallis, and takes part in the campaign against Tippoo. Afterwards he assumes a disguise; enters Seringapatum, the capital of Mysore, rescues Tippoo’s harem from a tiger, and is appointed to high office by the tyrant. In this capacity Dick visits the hill fortresses, still in search of his father, and at last he discovers him in the great stronghold of Savandroog. The hazardous rescue which Dick attempts, and the perilous night ride through the enemy’s country are at length accomplished, and the young fellow’s dangerous mission is done.

THROUGH RUSSIAN SNOWS

A Story of Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow.With 8 full-page illustrations and a map.

The hero, Julian Wyatt, after several adventures with smugglers, by whom he is handed over a prisoner to the French, regains his freedom and joins Napoleon’s army in the Russian campaign, and reaches Moscow with the victorious Emperor. Then, when the terrible retreat begins, Julian finds himself in the rear guard of the French army, fighting desperately, league by league, against famine, snow-storms, wolves, and Russians. Ultimately he escapes out of the general disaster, after rescuing the daughter of a Russian count; makes his way to St. Petersburg, and then returns to England. A story with an excellent plot, exciting adventures, and splendid historical interests.

G. A. HENTY’S POPULAR STORIES FOR BOYS

Each, crown 8vo, handsomely illustrated, $1.50.

IN THE HEART OF THE ROCKIES.A Story of Adventure in Colorado.

“One of the most interesting and attractive stories for boys. It is a tale of adventure thrilling enough for the most daring readers.”—Boston Journal.

WULF THE SAXON.A Story of the Norman Conquest.

“An unusually realistic picture of the times. The scenes and incidents which Mr. Henty introduces are calculated to awaken fresh interest in the influence of the battle of Hastings upon the destiny of mankind.”—Boston Herald.

WHEN LONDON BURNED.A Story of Restoration Times and the Great Fire.

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ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S EVE.A Tale of the Huguenot Wars.

“Exciting enough to interest even the dullest of readers.”—Boston Transcript.

THROUGH THE SIKH WAR.A Tale of the Conquest of the Punjaub.

“Not only interesting but instructive. It is related with great spirit and animation.”—Boston Herald.

A JACOBITE EXILE.Being the Adventures of a Young Englishman in the Service of Charles XII. of Sweden.

“Remarkable for its thrilling adventures and its interesting historical pictures.”—Herald and Presbyter.

BERIC THE BRITON.A Story of the Roman Invasion.

“It is a powerful and fascinating romance.”—Boston Post.

IN GREEK WATERS.A Story of the Grecian War of Independence—1821-1827.

“It is a stirring narrative, wholesome and stimulating.”—Congregationalist.

CONDEMNED AS A NIHILIST.A Story of Escape from Siberia.

“A narrative absorbing and thrilling. The scenes of Siberian prison-life give the book a peculiar value.”—Christian Advocate.

REDSKIN AND COWBOY.A Tale of the Western Plains.

“Though it is full of hairbreadth escapes, none of the incidents are improbable. It is needless to say that the adventures are well told.”—San Francisco Chronicle.

THE DASH FOR KHARTOUM.A Tale of the Nile Expedition.

HELD FAST FOR ENGLAND.A Tale of the Siege of Gibraltar.

⁂The above are Mr. Henty’s latest books. A full descriptive list containing all of Mr. Henty’s books—now 47 in number—will be sent to any address on application. They are all attractively illustrated and handsomely bound.

SAMUEL ADAMS DRAKE’S HISTORICAL BOOKS

THE MAKING OF THE OHIO VALLEY STATES.1660-1837. Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50.

THE MAKING OF VIRGINIA AND THE MIDDLE COLONIES.1578-1701. Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50.

THE MAKING OF NEW ENGLAND.1580-1643. With 148 illustrations and with maps. 12mo, $1.50.

THE MAKING OF THE GREAT WEST.1812-1853. With 145 illustrations and with maps. 12mo, $1.50.

“The author’s aim in these books is that they shall occupy a place between the larger and lesser histories of the lands and of the periods of which they treat, and that each topic therein shall be treated as a unit and worked out to a clear understanding of its objects and results before passing to another topic. In the furtherance of this method each subject has its own descriptive notes, maps, plans, and illustrations, the whole contributing to a thorough, though condensed, knowledge of the subject in hand.”—New York Mail and Express.

POEMS OF CHILDHOOD BY EUGENE FIELD

LOVE SONGS OF CHILDHOOD.16mo, $1.00.

WITH TRUMPET AND DRUM.By Eugene Field. 16mo, $1.25.

“His poems of childhood have gone home, not only to the hearts of children, but to the heart of the country as well, and he is one of the few contributors to that genuine literature of childhood which expresses ideas from the stand-point of a child.”—The Outlook.

THE NORSELAND SERIES

ByH. H. Boyesen.

NORSELAND TALES.Illustrated. 12mo, $1.25.

BOYHOOD IN NORWAY:Nine Stories of Deeds of the Sons of the Vikings. With 8 illustrations. 12mo, $1.25.

AGAINST HEAVY ODDS,and a Fearless Trio. With 13 full-page illustrations byW. L. Taylor. 12mo, $1.25.

THE MODERN VIKINGS:Stories of Life and Sport in the Norseland. With many full-page illustrations. 12mo, $1.25.

The four above volumes in a box, $5.00.

“Charmingly told stories of boy-life in the Land of the Midnight Sun, illustrated with pictures giving a capital idea of the incidents and scenes described. The tales have a delight all their own, as they tell of scenes and sports and circumstances so different from those of our American life.”—New York Observer.

TWO BOOKS BY ROSSITER JOHNSON

THE END OF A RAINBOW.An American Story.Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50.

“It will be read with breathless interest. It is interesting and full of boyish experience.”—The Independent.

PHAETON ROGERS.A Novel of Boy Life.Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50.

MRS. BURTON HARRISON’S TALES

BRIC-A-BRAC STORIES.With 24 illustrations byWalter Crane. 12mo, $1.50.

“It is to be wished that every boy and girl might become acquainted with the contents of this book.”—Julian Hawthorne.

THE OLD FASHIONED FAIRY BOOK.Illustrated byRosina Emmet. 16mo, $1.25.

The little ones, who so willingly go back with us to ‘Jack the Giant Killer,’ ‘Bluebeard,’ and the kindred stories of our childhood, will gladly welcome Mrs. Burton Harrison’s ‘Old-Fashioned Fairy Tales.’”—Frank R. Stockton.

BOOKS OF ADVENTURE BY ROBERT LEIGHTON

OLAF THE GLORIOUS.A Story of Olaf Triggvison, King of Norway, A.D. 995-1000.Crown 8vo, with numerous full-page illustrations, $1.50.

THE WRECK OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE.The Story of a North Sea Fisher Boy.Illustrated. Crown 8vo, $1.50.

THE THIRSTY SWORD.A Story of the Norse Invasion of Scotland, 1262-65.With 8 illustrations and a map. Crown 8vo, $1.50.

THE PILOTS OF POMONA.A Story of the Orkney Islands.With 8 illustrations and a map. Crown 8vo, $1.50.

“Mr. Leighton as a writer for boys needs no praise, as his books place him in the front rank.”—New York Observer.

THINGS WILL TAKE A TURN

ByBeatrice Harraden, author of “Ships That Pass in the Night.” Illustrated. 12mo, $1.00.

The charm of this tale is its delicate, wistful sympathy. It is the story of a sunny-hearted child, Rosebud, who assists her grandfather in his dusty, second-hand bookshop. One cannot help being fascinated by the sweet little heroine, she is so engaging, so natural: and to love Rosebud is to love all her friends and enter sympathetically into the good fortune she brought them.

AMONG THE LAWMAKERS

ByEdmund Alton. Illustrated. Square 8vo, $1.50.

“The book is a diverting as well as an instructive one. Mr. Alton was in his early days a page in the Senate, and he relates the doings of Congress from the point of view he then obtained. His narrative is easy and piquant, and abounds in personal anecdotes about the great men whom the pages waited on.”—Christian Union.

EVENING TALES

Done into English from the French of Frederic Ortoli, by Joel Chandler Harris.12mo, $1.00.

“It is a veritable French ‘Uncle Remus’ that Mr. Harris has discovered in Frederic Ortoli. The book has the genuine piquancy of Gallic wit, and will be sure to charm American children. Mr. Harris’s version is delightfully written.”—Boston Beacon.

FOOTNOTES:[1]Froissart’s own cunning little poem ofLe Débat dou Cheval et dou Levrier, recently printed for the first time by M. Buchon, gives such a picture of himself:—“Froissars d’Escoce revenoltSus un cheval qui gris estoit;Un blanc levrier menoit en lasse.”[2]Froissart’s Chronicles were written in four volumes, or books. The parts I have taken from the first book cover a period of about thirty years, counting from the coronation of the young King Edward the Third of England in the year 1326 to the battle of Poitiers in the year 1356. The times covered by the other three books will be given as we come to them.I have thought that the young readers of Froissart would care to know exactly how it was that such a wonderful amount of fighting had to be done during the fourteenth century, in England, France, and Flanders, as is described in this book; and I have therefore devoted the first forty or fifty pages to such extracts as would inform them upon the causes of these terrible and long-continued wars.—Ed.[3]The young readers of Froissart will be interested in some particulars of this exploit not given by our author. When Douglas made his first impetuous onset, it seemed as if he would be successful, even alone. The Saracens retreated in confusion, and Douglas and his party were tempted into a hot pursuit. “Taking the casket from his neck” (says Hailes, in the Annals of Scotland), “which contained the heart of Bruce,” Douglas “threw it before him, and cried, ‘Now pass thou onward, as thou wast wont; and Douglas will follow thee, or die.’”Presently the Saracens rallied, and surrounded the Scotch with overwhelming numbers. “Douglas fell while attempting to rescue Sir William Clare of Roslin, who shared his fate. Robert and Walter Logan, both of them knights, were slain with Douglas.... His few surviving companions found his body in the field, together with the casket, and reverently conveyed them to Scotland. The remains of Douglas were interred in the sepulchre of his fathers, in the church of Douglas; and the heart of Bruce was deposited at Melrose.”[4]Who, although he had been the chief supporter of Philip for the crown, had afterwards become the object of Philip’s violent hatred, and had been banished the kingdom.[5]But it is to be hoped that every young reader of Froissart will heartily despise such cunning. This act of Sir John Norwich was mean and small beyond all decent words; for he took the basest advantage of the Duke of Normandy’s honorable confidence in his fidelity to the sacred obligations of a truce.—Ed.[6]Boys who accompany King Edward on this expedition will be glad to know, at the outset, that they are not to be fobbed off with a few skirmishes and a retreat of both armies—as on the preceding ones. In fact, we are now on the way to fight the great battle of Crecy.—Ed.[7]French fora harrow.[8]The mark “-“ over a letter denotes anmor annadded: thus “cāe” =came, “thē” =them.[9]yᵗ =that.[10][11]=amonge.[12]That is,had been there dead if(and =an)it had not been for his page.[13]almaygnes=Allemands=Germans.[14]That is,makes him ready.[15]Ensigns.[16]Two.[17]Mild maid,—the Virgin Mary.[18]They.[19]Fly.[20]’gan,—began.[21]Ay,—yea.[22]Feod,—one who owes fealty.[23]The narrative has advanced five years since the last chapter. King John keeps his oath: he “sets out after” the prince, and in a short time brings on the great battle of Poitiers.—Ed.[24]Some say it was composed of sulphur, naphtha, pitch, gum, and bitumen; others, that the ingredients are not now known. It was invented by Callinicus of Heliopolis, in the seventh century, to destroy the ships of the Saracens.—Ed.[25]It was Arnaut (i.e., Arnold) de Cervolle who was surnamed the Archpriest.—Ed.[26]After the battle of Poitiers the wretched land of France was tormented by all the ills of lawlessness. This chapter, and the next three, particularly those describing the Jacquerie, will show every boy the frenzies to which a people may be driven when the law is weak. In this case the arm of the law—King John—was wholly lacking in France.—Ed.[27]Of Normandy.—Ed.[28]That is, Jack Goodman.—Ed.[29]Froissart’s Chronicles having been composed in four volumes, the peculiar nature of his work makes it well to preserve this division, aside from the general advantage of giving in unaltered form, so far as possible, the parts presented.—Ed.[30]This is King Charles the Sixth of France, called “the Maniac.” The narrative has here advanced twenty-four years since we left King John in England, a prisoner, after the battle of Poitiers. John has died, and been succeeded by Charles V.,—“the Wise,”—who has reigned sixteen years, and died. We now go on to see how his successor, young Charles the Sixth, fares in his wars with Philip von Artaveld to recover the rights of the Earl of Flanders. I have chosen these special chapters because they give us lively pictures of manners and customs among a different people from those illustrated by the selections of the first book. The insurrection of Wat Tyler, of which Froissart gives such a lively account in this book, ought really to begin these first chapters, since it occurred in 1378,—two years before the coronation of King Charles,—in the reign of Richard II. of England. The period covered by my extracts from this second book is therefore from 1378 to 1382, when the battle of Rosbecq was fought.—Ed.[31]I devote my selections from this book mainly to showing the manner in which the good canon Froissart picked up matter for his Chronicles from the conversation of chance travellers as he rode on his way; together with a glimpse of the handsome person and brilliant court of the great Béarnese lord Gaston Phœbus, Count de Foix. The time is the year 1388.—Ed.[32]His mother had been sent by her husband to bring home her dowry, in the hands of her brother the King of Navarre. The latter refused to send it; and the lady therefore remained in his country, fearing the anger of her husband if she should return without it.—Ed.[33]The young readers of Froissart may remember this passage when they come to read Chaucer’s account of the young squire who “Carf byforn his fadur at the table” (i.e.,carved before his father at the table).—Ed.[34]For the sake of further variety I extract from Froissart’s fourth volume a lively picture of a crusade against the Saracens. The time is the last decade of the fourteenth century; more particularly, two months of the year 1390.—Ed.[35]Machines for throwing stones.—Ed.[36]Which I have selected for a concluding chapter because it is the last but one of Froissart’s book, and brings before us several persons who have figured in the history, asdramatis personæcome forth at the last act of the play. Here are King Edward, with whose coronation my abridgment begins; Queen Philippa, whom we saw him marry; and King Richard II., whom we last beheld in front of Wat Tyler and his rebels.—Ed.

FOOTNOTES:

[1]Froissart’s own cunning little poem ofLe Débat dou Cheval et dou Levrier, recently printed for the first time by M. Buchon, gives such a picture of himself:—“Froissars d’Escoce revenoltSus un cheval qui gris estoit;Un blanc levrier menoit en lasse.”

[1]Froissart’s own cunning little poem ofLe Débat dou Cheval et dou Levrier, recently printed for the first time by M. Buchon, gives such a picture of himself:—

“Froissars d’Escoce revenoltSus un cheval qui gris estoit;Un blanc levrier menoit en lasse.”

[2]Froissart’s Chronicles were written in four volumes, or books. The parts I have taken from the first book cover a period of about thirty years, counting from the coronation of the young King Edward the Third of England in the year 1326 to the battle of Poitiers in the year 1356. The times covered by the other three books will be given as we come to them.I have thought that the young readers of Froissart would care to know exactly how it was that such a wonderful amount of fighting had to be done during the fourteenth century, in England, France, and Flanders, as is described in this book; and I have therefore devoted the first forty or fifty pages to such extracts as would inform them upon the causes of these terrible and long-continued wars.—Ed.

I have thought that the young readers of Froissart would care to know exactly how it was that such a wonderful amount of fighting had to be done during the fourteenth century, in England, France, and Flanders, as is described in this book; and I have therefore devoted the first forty or fifty pages to such extracts as would inform them upon the causes of these terrible and long-continued wars.—Ed.

[3]The young readers of Froissart will be interested in some particulars of this exploit not given by our author. When Douglas made his first impetuous onset, it seemed as if he would be successful, even alone. The Saracens retreated in confusion, and Douglas and his party were tempted into a hot pursuit. “Taking the casket from his neck” (says Hailes, in the Annals of Scotland), “which contained the heart of Bruce,” Douglas “threw it before him, and cried, ‘Now pass thou onward, as thou wast wont; and Douglas will follow thee, or die.’”Presently the Saracens rallied, and surrounded the Scotch with overwhelming numbers. “Douglas fell while attempting to rescue Sir William Clare of Roslin, who shared his fate. Robert and Walter Logan, both of them knights, were slain with Douglas.... His few surviving companions found his body in the field, together with the casket, and reverently conveyed them to Scotland. The remains of Douglas were interred in the sepulchre of his fathers, in the church of Douglas; and the heart of Bruce was deposited at Melrose.”

[4]Who, although he had been the chief supporter of Philip for the crown, had afterwards become the object of Philip’s violent hatred, and had been banished the kingdom.

[5]But it is to be hoped that every young reader of Froissart will heartily despise such cunning. This act of Sir John Norwich was mean and small beyond all decent words; for he took the basest advantage of the Duke of Normandy’s honorable confidence in his fidelity to the sacred obligations of a truce.—Ed.

[6]Boys who accompany King Edward on this expedition will be glad to know, at the outset, that they are not to be fobbed off with a few skirmishes and a retreat of both armies—as on the preceding ones. In fact, we are now on the way to fight the great battle of Crecy.—Ed.

[7]French fora harrow.

[8]The mark “-“ over a letter denotes anmor annadded: thus “cāe” =came, “thē” =them.

[9]yᵗ =that.

[10][11]=amonge.[12]That is,had been there dead if(and =an)it had not been for his page.[13]almaygnes=Allemands=Germans.[14]That is,makes him ready.[15]Ensigns.[16]Two.[17]Mild maid,—the Virgin Mary.[18]They.[19]Fly.[20]’gan,—began.[21]Ay,—yea.[22]Feod,—one who owes fealty.[23]The narrative has advanced five years since the last chapter. King John keeps his oath: he “sets out after” the prince, and in a short time brings on the great battle of Poitiers.—Ed.[24]Some say it was composed of sulphur, naphtha, pitch, gum, and bitumen; others, that the ingredients are not now known. It was invented by Callinicus of Heliopolis, in the seventh century, to destroy the ships of the Saracens.—Ed.[25]It was Arnaut (i.e., Arnold) de Cervolle who was surnamed the Archpriest.—Ed.[26]After the battle of Poitiers the wretched land of France was tormented by all the ills of lawlessness. This chapter, and the next three, particularly those describing the Jacquerie, will show every boy the frenzies to which a people may be driven when the law is weak. In this case the arm of the law—King John—was wholly lacking in France.—Ed.[27]Of Normandy.—Ed.[28]That is, Jack Goodman.—Ed.[29]Froissart’s Chronicles having been composed in four volumes, the peculiar nature of his work makes it well to preserve this division, aside from the general advantage of giving in unaltered form, so far as possible, the parts presented.—Ed.[30]This is King Charles the Sixth of France, called “the Maniac.” The narrative has here advanced twenty-four years since we left King John in England, a prisoner, after the battle of Poitiers. John has died, and been succeeded by Charles V.,—“the Wise,”—who has reigned sixteen years, and died. We now go on to see how his successor, young Charles the Sixth, fares in his wars with Philip von Artaveld to recover the rights of the Earl of Flanders. I have chosen these special chapters because they give us lively pictures of manners and customs among a different people from those illustrated by the selections of the first book. The insurrection of Wat Tyler, of which Froissart gives such a lively account in this book, ought really to begin these first chapters, since it occurred in 1378,—two years before the coronation of King Charles,—in the reign of Richard II. of England. The period covered by my extracts from this second book is therefore from 1378 to 1382, when the battle of Rosbecq was fought.—Ed.[31]I devote my selections from this book mainly to showing the manner in which the good canon Froissart picked up matter for his Chronicles from the conversation of chance travellers as he rode on his way; together with a glimpse of the handsome person and brilliant court of the great Béarnese lord Gaston Phœbus, Count de Foix. The time is the year 1388.—Ed.[32]His mother had been sent by her husband to bring home her dowry, in the hands of her brother the King of Navarre. The latter refused to send it; and the lady therefore remained in his country, fearing the anger of her husband if she should return without it.—Ed.[33]The young readers of Froissart may remember this passage when they come to read Chaucer’s account of the young squire who “Carf byforn his fadur at the table” (i.e.,carved before his father at the table).—Ed.[34]For the sake of further variety I extract from Froissart’s fourth volume a lively picture of a crusade against the Saracens. The time is the last decade of the fourteenth century; more particularly, two months of the year 1390.—Ed.[35]Machines for throwing stones.—Ed.[36]Which I have selected for a concluding chapter because it is the last but one of Froissart’s book, and brings before us several persons who have figured in the history, asdramatis personæcome forth at the last act of the play. Here are King Edward, with whose coronation my abridgment begins; Queen Philippa, whom we saw him marry; and King Richard II., whom we last beheld in front of Wat Tyler and his rebels.—Ed.

[10]

[11]=amonge.

[12]That is,had been there dead if(and =an)it had not been for his page.

[13]almaygnes=Allemands=Germans.

[14]That is,makes him ready.

[15]Ensigns.

[16]Two.

[17]Mild maid,—the Virgin Mary.

[18]They.

[19]Fly.

[20]’gan,—began.

[21]Ay,—yea.

[22]Feod,—one who owes fealty.

[23]The narrative has advanced five years since the last chapter. King John keeps his oath: he “sets out after” the prince, and in a short time brings on the great battle of Poitiers.—Ed.

[24]Some say it was composed of sulphur, naphtha, pitch, gum, and bitumen; others, that the ingredients are not now known. It was invented by Callinicus of Heliopolis, in the seventh century, to destroy the ships of the Saracens.—Ed.

[25]It was Arnaut (i.e., Arnold) de Cervolle who was surnamed the Archpriest.—Ed.

[26]After the battle of Poitiers the wretched land of France was tormented by all the ills of lawlessness. This chapter, and the next three, particularly those describing the Jacquerie, will show every boy the frenzies to which a people may be driven when the law is weak. In this case the arm of the law—King John—was wholly lacking in France.—Ed.

[27]Of Normandy.—Ed.

[28]That is, Jack Goodman.—Ed.

[29]Froissart’s Chronicles having been composed in four volumes, the peculiar nature of his work makes it well to preserve this division, aside from the general advantage of giving in unaltered form, so far as possible, the parts presented.—Ed.

[30]This is King Charles the Sixth of France, called “the Maniac.” The narrative has here advanced twenty-four years since we left King John in England, a prisoner, after the battle of Poitiers. John has died, and been succeeded by Charles V.,—“the Wise,”—who has reigned sixteen years, and died. We now go on to see how his successor, young Charles the Sixth, fares in his wars with Philip von Artaveld to recover the rights of the Earl of Flanders. I have chosen these special chapters because they give us lively pictures of manners and customs among a different people from those illustrated by the selections of the first book. The insurrection of Wat Tyler, of which Froissart gives such a lively account in this book, ought really to begin these first chapters, since it occurred in 1378,—two years before the coronation of King Charles,—in the reign of Richard II. of England. The period covered by my extracts from this second book is therefore from 1378 to 1382, when the battle of Rosbecq was fought.—Ed.

[31]I devote my selections from this book mainly to showing the manner in which the good canon Froissart picked up matter for his Chronicles from the conversation of chance travellers as he rode on his way; together with a glimpse of the handsome person and brilliant court of the great Béarnese lord Gaston Phœbus, Count de Foix. The time is the year 1388.—Ed.

[32]His mother had been sent by her husband to bring home her dowry, in the hands of her brother the King of Navarre. The latter refused to send it; and the lady therefore remained in his country, fearing the anger of her husband if she should return without it.—Ed.

[33]The young readers of Froissart may remember this passage when they come to read Chaucer’s account of the young squire who “Carf byforn his fadur at the table” (i.e.,carved before his father at the table).—Ed.

[34]For the sake of further variety I extract from Froissart’s fourth volume a lively picture of a crusade against the Saracens. The time is the last decade of the fourteenth century; more particularly, two months of the year 1390.—Ed.

[35]Machines for throwing stones.—Ed.

[36]Which I have selected for a concluding chapter because it is the last but one of Froissart’s book, and brings before us several persons who have figured in the history, asdramatis personæcome forth at the last act of the play. Here are King Edward, with whose coronation my abridgment begins; Queen Philippa, whom we saw him marry; and King Richard II., whom we last beheld in front of Wat Tyler and his rebels.—Ed.

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