Chapter I: Preface

In an attempt to tell the story of a great nation in about 100 pages, it is needless to say there must be a rigid exclusion of all save essential facts. To those already familiar with the subject, this sketch is offered merely as a reminder of the sequence of conditions and events in the evolution of France; while to the student it is presented as a framework upon which may be placed, in orderly and comprehensible fashion, the results of future reading and research.

To the latter class I would suggest that a series of papers, written upon the most prominent themes found in the Table of Contents, will bear fruit in knowledge more real and vital than may be obtained from the writings of others, however eloquent and vivid the presentation.

M. P.

NEW YORK, July 23d, 1894.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The Aryan Family of Nations--Keltic Race--Ancient Gaul--Gauls in Rome--Gauls in Greece and in Asia Minor

CHAPTER II.

Roman Conquest of Gaul--Julius Caesar

CHAPTER III.

Birth of Christianity--Its Dissemination--Persecution at Lyons by order of Marcus Aurelius--The Roman Empire Espouses Christianity under Constantine

CHAPTER IV.

Gaul Overrun and Subjugated by Franks--Clovis King--Decay of the Merovingian Line--_Maire du Palais_ King _de facto_--Charles Martel--Birth of Mohammedanism--Its Triumphs--Christendom Threatened--Pepin King--Charlemagne--Alliance with Pope--France, Italy, and Germany Emerge as Separate Nationalities

CHAPTER V.

The Northmen--Beginnings of Feudalism in France--Normandy Bestowed upon the Northmen--Conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy--Albigenses--Inquisition at Toulouse--The Crusades

CHAPTER VI.

Decline of Feudalism--Creation of the Commune--Charles VII.--Henry V. in France--Joan of Arc

CHAPTER VII.

Francis I.--Huguenots--Catharine de Medici--Francis II.

CHAPTER VIII.

Massacre of St. Bartholomew--Henry III.--Henry IV.

CHAPTER IX.

Edict of Nantes--Louis XIII.--Richelieu

CHAPTER X.

Louis XIV.--Revocation of the Edict of Nantes--Louis XV.--Age of Voltaire and Rousseau--The Gathering Storm

CHAPTER XI.

Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette--American Colonies Arrayed Against England--French Aid to America--Smouldering Fires of Discontent--Louis Convokes States-General--National Assembly Created by Commons--Bastille Attacked--Revolution--Execution of King

CHAPTER XII.

Napoleon Bonaparte--Toulon--Campaign in Italy--Empire Established--Europe Under the Feet of the Great Corsican--Marie Louise--Waterloo--Louis XVIII.--Charles X.--Louis Philippe--Second Republic--Louis Napoleon President--Second Empire--Napoleon III.--Franco-Prussian War--Sedan--Third Republic--Review of Present Conditions

EVOLUTION OF AN EMPIRE.