promises, sometimes even to my own damage, as I showed you on this
subject two years ago. Remember, if you please, what I then wrote you,
and that in no way could you so much win over my heart to yourself as by
kindness, although you have confined forever my poor body to languish
between four walls; those of my rank and disposition not permitting
themselves to be gained over or forced by any amount of harshness.

* * * * *

In conclusion, I have to request two things especially; the one that as
I am about to leave this world I may have by me for my consolation some
honourable churchman, in order that I may daily examine the road that I
have to traverse and be instructed how to complete it according to my
religion, in which I am firmly resolved to live and die. This is a last
duty which cannot be denied to the most wretched and miserable person
alive; it is a liberty which you give to all foreign ambassadors, just
as all other Catholic kings allow yours the practice of their religion.
And as for myself, have I ever forced my own subjects to do anything
against their religion even when I had all power and authority over
them? And you cannot justly bring it to pass that I should be in this
extremity deprived of such a privilege. What advantage can accrue to you
from denying me this? I hope that God will forgive me if, oppressed by
you in this wise, I do not cease from paying Him that duty which in my
heart will be permitted. But you will give a very ill example to other
princes of Christendom of employing towards their subjects and
relatives, the same harshness which you mete out to me, a sovereign
queen and your nearest relative, as I am and shall be in spite of my
enemies so long as I live.

INDEX

Aims of Study, 13

Amount of Material, 18

Appendix, 136
First Christmas Tree, The, 136
First Thanksgiving, The, 140
Letter of Mary Queen of Scots, 143
Origin of the Easter Bunny, 137
Story of St. Valentine, 138

Bibliography, 130

Black-board Work in Teaching History, 27, 31, 40, 47, 50

Capture of Quebec, The, 66

Characteristics of a Good Text-book, 24

Chronological Chart, 128

Chronological Method, 21

Civics, 20, 51, 52

Civilization and Inventions, 119

Clergy Reserves, The, 36

Colours of the Flag, The, 73

Combination of Methods, 25

Comparative