Excerpt from The First Book in United States History The value of biography in teaching history to young pupils is well recognized. The personal, or human, element that this form of narration adds to the text arouses the interest that is essential to the study of history. Care should be taken, however, not to overemphasize biography lest the relative importance of the in dividual and the event be misunderstood and lest the historical connection between events be lost. The biographies furnished in' this text are abundant, and they have been selected because, taken together, they cover nearly all the events of the history of our country that the young pupil need know. Wherever biography is not available, or wherever it is advisable to emphasize the event rather than the individual or to preserve a closer connection between events, the author has resorted to the ordinary form of narration. In preparing the text he has used portions of his earlier work, A Primary History of the United States. When undertaken properly the study of history is not only very useful, but is a source of delight. If the pupil, in taking up the study for the first time, can see in it the wonderful story of people who have gone before him and builded that he might live the better, he will acquire a liking for history that will abide with him in after years. To give to the young people of America not only the advantages, but the pleasure, that may be found in the study of the history of their country is the purpose of the author. With the hope that his purpose will be fulfilled, this little book is sent forth on its mission. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.