vanish in the light of fuller knowledge, and serious misunderstanding will become impossible. Every year the importance of America to Europe increases. Every year our history connects itself more closely with America. Even now there is no country which exercises upon our destiny an influence so commanding. There is, therefore, no country about which it is so indispensable that we should be fully informed. This History is an attempt to make the present generation better acquainted with America. It is a very small contribution to a very great work. But here, as elsewhere, if every man does what he can, there will be little left undone. DUNDEE, May 1870. R. M. |