Chapter I: Preface: “Story! bless you--I have none to tell.”--Canning’s Knifegrinder

It is an old and trite saying: “Good wine needs no bush,” and even the finest and most flourishing bush will fail to put either body or flavor into the growth of a bad vintage. It is left to the reader of this little volume to decide whether or not the author has succeeded in producing an acceptable and readable book.

_July 1, 1854._

CONTENTS.

PART I.

THE MOSLEMIN.
Page
CHAPTER I.--Arabia and its inhabitants.--Life and doctrine
of Mohammed 1

” II.--The Khalifs from Abu Bekr to Hesham 53

PART II.

THE FRANKS.

CHAPTER I.--The Frank Confederacy.--Clovis, the Founder of
the Frank Monarchy 89

” II.--Decline of the Merovingian Princes.--The Mayors
of the Palace.--Pepin of Landen.--Pepin of
Heristal.--Charles Martel.--The Battle of
Tours 108