men as well as professional men-who are beginning to realize that the present has its roots in the past, and that there is no way to understand the present except by studying the past. With the hope that here and there the book might find a reader who would wish to examine for himself the grounds of its statements, the author has sought to give enough references to enable such readers to satisfy themselves. Of his aim in another particular, he may, perhaps, be permitted to speak: That the book contains mistakes of fact as well as of inference, will doubtless be found to be true; but he confidently believes that it is free from mistakes that are due to any bias in favor of any individual or of any party. Of the authorities he has consulted and to whom he is under obligations, he wishes to make special mention of Alexander Johnston's articles in Lalor's Cyclopedia, and of Henry Adams' History of the United States. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, |