ansactions described as realities; their reflecting and reasoning
powers are occupied on what they read; they take notice of the motives
of conduct, of the gradual development of character, the good or ill
desert of actions, and of the connection of causes and consequences,
both in respect to the influence of wisdom and virtue on the one hand,
and, on the other, of folly and crime. In a word, their _minds_ and
_hearts_ are occupied instead of merely their memories. They reason,
they sympathize, they pity, they approve, and they condemn. They enjoy
the real and true pleasure which constitutes the charm of historical
study for minds that are mature; and they acquire a taste for truth
instead of fiction, which will tend to direct their reading into proper
channels in all future years.

The use of these works, therefore, as text-books in classes, has been
kept continually in mind in the preparation of them. The running index
on the tops of the pages is intended to serve instead of questions.
These captions can be used in their present form as _topics_, in respect
to which, when announced in the class, the pupils are to repeat
substantially what is said on the page; or, on the other hand, questions
in form, if that mode is preferred, can be readily framed from them by
the teacher. In all the volumes, a very regular system of division is
observed, which will greatly facilitate the assignment of lessons.

CONTENTS.

Chapter Page

I. THE MOTHER OF XERXES 13

II. EGYPT AND GREECE 33

III. DEBATE ON THE PROPOSED INVASION OF GREECE 56

IV. PREPARATIONS FOR THE INVASION OF GREECE 78

V. THE CROSSING OF THE HELLESPONT 100

VI. THE REVIEW OF THE ARMY AT DORISCUS 125

VII. PREPARATIONS OF THE GREEKS FOR DEFENSE 151

VIII. THE ADVANCE OF XERXES INTO GREECE 178

IX. THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE 201

X. THE BURNING OF ATHENS 224

XI. THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS 245

XII. THE RETURN TO PERSIA 284

ENGRAVINGS.

Page

ARTABANUS AND THE GHOST _Fronti