reports, the teacher should see that the pupil has noted and understood the changes and the reasons therefor. For example, if the topic be the "Economic History" of the United States, great pains should be taken to call the attention to the changes in belief in regard to the tariff, or internal improvements. Let every effort be bent to discovering the causes of these changes. If Webster cease to be a free trader, the reason for the change should be found if possible. If the South oppose internal improvements, let the cause be unearthed. These studies, then, are committed to my fellow teachers in the hope that they may aid them a little in solving the difficult problem of how to get our children to understand their own history, and to get such an understanding in such a way as to make them mentally and morally stronger, that they may be better prepared to meet the exceedingly difficult questions which will confront the coming generation. The writer has no extravagant ideas or expectations in regard to the transforming power of these studies. He simply nopes and believes that they will be found to be an aid. H. W. C. THE FOUNDING OF THE COLONIES Virginia, 1607; New York, 1614, by Dutch; New AMERICAN HISTORY STUDIES N the following studies it is intended to illustrate ten phases of American history by calling in contemporaries to speak for themselves. Of course these extracts are expected to do little else than whet the appetite for more. It is hoped that the spirit of original research may be intensified in this way to such an extent that the reader may wish to go to the more extended compilations of sources. Professor Hart's new work, "American History as Told by Contemporaries," in four volumes, will meet the wants of many. Many extracts may be found in this book which could not have been laid before its readers had not his compilation been available. Niles' "Documents Illustrative of the American Revolution" is also a valuable and convenient collection of sources bearing on the American Revolution. Professor Woodburn's revision of Johnston's "American Orations" has increased the usefulness of that valuable work. It now consists of four volumes of the best speeches on all political topics made by American statesmen. The reader of these articles will thus recognize that they contain only an insignificant fraction of the available material, but it is hoped that these papers may throw light on a few of the many great questions in the development of the life and thought of the American people. May we not at least hope. that those who cannot have access to the more elaborate works, or those whose time is too limited to use them, may find something to aid them in these briefer extracts? To get the greatest value from this work the writer believes that definite, systematic work is necessary. The questions are intended to direct the thought to the most important points in the extracts, and to bring out the hidden meanings. The new reader may per haps understand the method from a few explanatory sentences. In the first place, a written answer should be prepared for every question, accompanied by the page reference to the proof for the answer. Then an outline should be prepared arranging in proper and logical order the knowledge which has been accumulated in answering the questions. This second step is followed by the third, which consists in writing a paper following the "outline" and based on the answers to the ques tions for the "material" or matter which it contains. In brief, we first gather our "material," then make an "outline," and finally write our "narrative history." It is believed that those who will conscientiously follow this plan will by the end of the year have gained much in power, in knowledge of method, and in general culture and information. More or less explanatory matter will be introduced into the extracts, but in all cases it will be inclosed in brackets [ ]. The editor will, however, in general leave the contemporary writers to tell their own story. CHAPTER I THE FOUNDING OF THE COLONIES HE planting of the colonies may be said in general to extend from 1600 to 1700. By the latter date they were firmly established and the lines of their movement well determined. The social, religious, political, educational, and industrial life must all be considered in our study. Also the purposes of colonization and the character of the emigrants, as well as the Indians, are factors in our study. Selections, therefore, have been made to illustrate each of these problems. The source material for this earlier period is very abundant, and much of it is now being made available in a comparatively cheap form. In this first number I have cut out the modifying clauses to a great extent, but it is believed that the substance of the articles has been in all cases left unimpaired. 1. Reasons for colonization. Then shall her Majesties dominions be enlarged, her highnesse ancient titles justly confirmed, all odious idlenesse from this our Realm utterly banished, divers decayed towns repaired, and many poor and needy persons relieved, and estates of such as now live in want shall be embet red, the ignorant and barbarous idolaters taught to know Christ, the innocent defended from their bloodie tyrannicle neighbors, the diabolicale custome of sacrificing humane creatures abolished. -1582. Sir Geo, Peckham in Hakluyt; Voyages, etc. |