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Laa diagrammes suivants illustrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 "■''■'""^^^iPiliiPiiHIIiiVliiilpiiiPilPi "'*^*^. i ijpPfWPSffJJl^pffliiU'' "" iii.»««!"^»»PW^W«HIPI1 , t *l»3^«^W^*,< ,g(j&W*i» V CATECHISM or UNIVERSAL HISTORY, COKTAININtt A SUMMARY VIEW OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REVOLUTIONS THAT HAVE PRODUCED CHANGES IN THE DESTINY OF NATIONS, FROM THE EARLIEST AGES TO THE PRESENT TIME. NEW EDITION REVISED AND ALTERED. ARMOUR & RAMSAY, MONTREAL. RAMSAY, ARMOUR & CO., KINGSTON, A. H, ARMOUR « »tyle!/,vhieh it"?,' J'rodi'ed; win bL-rnot'd UrZr^;tl^ "^"" ''' P^^-' '' '^'pTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGF names, a Ust ^f AmeS;ms:ra,lie7sms,':^ro"her^v^:S: to be avoided in speaking or writing, and FuUorand n^.lL^"" ""'"'i'.' "^""' P^'-'feotion, the first edition of the t^^luVsf"^^'^ '^'''^^ «*■ ARITHMETIC, new be'^fim,!f1„'?h "'" I'" pop-'""? of «>« School Book is to be found in the extensive sale which it has met with for many years past. It is now retailed at 2s., subs7anUaS A CATECHISM OF GEOGRAPHY. Tid ARMOUR & RAMSAY'S CANADIAN SCHOOL ATr AS eontaining the following Maps, finely cToured:' The Western Hemisphere ; The Eastern Hemisphere 3 Europe 5 Asia; Africa; North America ; South America : The United States ; ' ^"^>sh Possessions in America. The whole substantially bound in linen, price only 6s. The Atlas may be used along with the Catechism of o^SgtdVyBr "'"=''' «°^'"""'''' Stewarttran^' The Subscribers have also always on hand, all kinds of Paper, Account Books, Quills, Wax, Wafers, sUes, &c &cf A *^^^V5.^ RAMSAY, Montreal. ^•W- ARMOUR & Co. Hamilton. *i,.ii«>jxii, iini>iuuii fit Uo. Kingston. U]N Q. \ A. T Instruct! Q. L Into hov A. T ^hich 1: adject or Q. W A. Tl Q. \V A. Tc fomancej !>y the an Q. W A. Th CATECHISM OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY d CHAPTER I. ON THE NATURE OP HISTORY. Q. What is History ? A. The narration of real events, intended for the nstruction and amusement of mankind. Q. Let us examine this definition attentivelv-. ito how many parts is it divided ? ^^ Al T."^? ' ^^^ ^''* ^"'^ ^^^'^^"^^^ *he subject about ^h.ch history treats, and the second explains the inject or end proposed in writing history, ^ H- VVhatjs the subject of history? A. The narration of real events. '* Q. Why do you use the v^^ord real ? A. To distinguish history from noetrir ««r^ Q. What is the object of history f A. TheinBtruction and amusement of mankind. -i.. "uvv uges flisiory instruct mankind ? B ^2 CATECHISM OV A B V furnishing them with examples of virtuous and Vicious chatactirs, and shewing them ihe effects nroduc^d by such, both on themselves and others, ^O Are Lv classes of real events excluded Irom hi£;y by tL necessity of mankind's deriving n-lTsfleiSharSLwhoUyu.^ lesf for us' to know should be passed over oy the historian. . ^ n ?-?-"flrcfiartrtlnotma.rial^ afffrt any great event; such as how a general break- ?Sd on the r lorning of a battle, how many times i ifltesman coughed in making a speech, &c. Q Should all minute circumstances be passed "'' A^ No : matters apparently as trifling as any which we h™ve mentioned, frequently have pro- wmcri we udv. An insult offered by a drunken ""J^rtS' an? other reasons for recordmg "TYersuS '[S'lircumstances frequently co,t y to us a better idea of character than the most 1 A— ent: the matter must not od be instiuctive, but the manner in which it is elated " O W&cluded from history by this part of *\'' MeSLls of facta, such as are conUined in ehitnologLl tables ; dry catalogues of names, &c. i\ c n t c 1 o h d re T ^ UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 3 Q. What are the principal duties of* a good historian ? A, The first and most important is a strict adhe- rence to truth ; the second, to place examples of virtue and vice before the reader in such a striking light, as to make him adhere to the former, and reject the latter; and thirdly, to deliver these salutary lessons in an agreeable form. CHAPTER II. THE DIVISIONS OP HISTORY. Q. How is history divided 1 • A. The first great division of history is into sacred and profane ; this division depends on the character of the narrator. The writers of Sacred History were assisted by the Holy Spirit, and therefore could not er. ; the authors of profane history being forced to rely on their own judgments are liable to mistake. Q. Is there any collection of sacred histories 1 - * A. All the books acknowledged as sacred are collected in the Bible. The books of the Old Testament contain an account of^the general history of the world, from the creation to the call of Abra- ham, and a particular account of Abraham and his descendants, from the time of that patriarch, to the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity. The books of the New Testament relate the first preaciiing and early progress of Christianity. Q. What examples are the-3 of profane history ? ' A. All histories but the Bible are called profane. CATECHISM OF ( Q. Is there any other division of history ? A. Yea; history is also divided into universal and particular. Q. What do you mean by universal history? A. That which gives an account of all the nations in the world, from their origin to the present time. It is evident that complete universal history cannot be written, since many nations are totally unknown to us, and even if they were, the records of all nations could not be examined by a single person in the course of the longest life. Q. What do you mean by particular history ? A. That which is confined within certain limits ; any definite portion of the general history of mankind. Q. What are the most common limits? A. Time, place, nature of events, and person. Q. How do you explain these more fully 1 A. Time limits -the narrative to the period in which the events occurred, as the history of the middle ages 5 place confines the historian to some particular country, or district, or city, as the history of England, of Middlesex, or of London ; the nature of events limit the author to one particular class of circumstances, as in civil, military, or ecclesiastical history ; and finally, the person directs attention to the individual by whom the most important events were transacted, as the history of Buonaparte's wars, or Alexander's conquests. i UNIVERSAL HIS .T* CHAPTER HI. SUBDIVISIONS OF PARTICULAR HISTORY. Q. How is history divided with respect to time ? A. The most common, as well as the most gene- ral division, is inlo ancient and modern history. Q. What epoch marks this division 1 A. The subversion of the Western Empire, A. D^ 476 ; when Augustulus, the last Roman empe- ror, was dethroned by Odoacer, king of the Heruli. From this epoch the origin of most of the kingdoms in Western Europe is dated. Q. What do you mean by an epoch ? A. That period of time in which some great change or revolution in human affairs took place. Q. Is thid epoch of universal application 1 A. No ; it is limited to the western kingdom, then formed from the fragments of the Roman em- pire ; but it does not mark any remarkable period in the history of the eastern empire, or of any Asia- tic or African nation. - Q. Are there any histories more particularly lim- ited by tim'^? A. Yes ; the histories of any particular period, as of the middle ages 5 and (he records of single years, such as annual registers and chronicles. Q. What are chronicles 1 A. I'hey are records of events, merely stating the order of time in which they occurred ; such are an- nual registers, public or private journals, news- '^apers, &c. Q.^ Can these be properly called histories 1 CATECHISM OP mtZ" '' '''"'"'" *'y ^' "»* '■o™ o»e continued Q- Is there any other reason? fact w^ hlrintZSh'r '"^-«*^'^-nt of .^conse,„ence,Sffl&^^^^^^^^ Q. Are chronicles therefore totally useless? cu££t;£oXe'r^^"^"""^"p-'- dered u:^J ""^ r ""''P*' '^'"''^ of history cS: aered in re ation to the nature of the events related J history of the VurSfrnt^^Ss [hf " "'^ every Ji„g thK^rnlt^KreS '^'^"^ saoSdf " ""^^ «^'='---' "'-^tory ier from ted^witMhiSS r'" '^""'^ °^ '''■^'-y — A. Yes ; there are twn vpr,r r- i-i-i- !«., When the historian relaieVTc^o^roSts' A 2 UNIVERSAL HTRTORT. continued ement of r tracing ery good ss? uthentic n parti- ther by- having ns are 7 time, consi- Jlated ? Jss and es the narra- an ac- Jetails springing from a common origin, and leading to a common termination, as the Rise and Progress of the Koman Republic, the Decline and Fall of the Ro- man Empire, the History of the Reformation, &c. $ 2d, when some single important event is narrated, as the Ketreat of the Ten Thousand, The Peloponne- sian War, &c. Q. What is the history of persons called ? A. It is named biography, from two Greek words, which signify " to write a life." Q. Is there any particular species of biography distinguished by another name 1 A. Yes ; when a person writes the history of his own life, it is called auto-biography. Q. What other subjects should be studied^ iri order that we should have a perfect knowledge of history? A. Chronology, which informs us of, the time when remarkable events took place, and Geogra- iphy,* which describes the countries in which they occurred. from livine It the > our nec- CHAPTER IV. THE ORIGIN OP NATIONS. Q. Where do we learn the manner in which the earth was peopled ? A, In the book of Genesis, which is the first ^les; ^ents ♦ See Catechism of Geography. s CATECHISM OF ?' .^r*"*' ^•^<"'""' 's there given us ? A. We are informed that God created Adam and Eve, whom he placed in the garden of Eden S peopled the whole eaS/ tlfafi ''^1^;^:- their wckedness God Bent a flood, in Ihich aU human beings were drowned, except Noah and his fam>ly ; and finally, that from Noah and hi. three^sons are descended the p.sent inhabit '^f tiont?°" ^''^^•'•'casion did men separate into na- A. When the confusion of laneua which this im- fferently mety of ration of the time ed. tb divi- UNIVERSAL HISTORY. S^ the first who introduced civilization into the coun- tries which they subdued. Q. What general character may be given of thia warlike race ? A. They were the first who established an aristo- cracy, that is, a rank of nobility ; they made those whom they conquered their servants ; they uni- formly preserved the tradition of the Deluge, but they also introduced the corruptions of idolatry. Q. What were the principal nations or tribes by whom Europe was peopled ? A. We meet with the names of many tribes in the traditions and early histories of Europe, but the principal appear to have been the Pelasgi, the Iberians, the Celts, and the Scythians. Q. Who were the Pelasgi ? A. They appear to have been the first settlers in Greece, from whence many of them passed into Italy and conquered the straggling Celtic tribes which were scattered through the country. Q. Is the history of the Pelasgi well known ? A. There is scarcely any historical topic more disputed than all that relates to this ancient people. Q. How is this accounted for ] A. At the time when authentic history begins, the Pelasgi were a fallen people, their strength was gone, their glory had departed. In Greece, they were subdued by the Hellenes ; in Italy, they were conquered by the barbarous tribes who descended from the Alps, and only a few obscure traditions testified that they once ruled in lands where all but thek name was forgotten. Q. Are there any proofe of their greatness still remaining? 10 CATECHISM OF A. Yes, these massive buildings formed of enor- mous b ocks of stone, wl.ich would seem to have required super-human power to raise, are by uniform ^"'°'y^"^ 'f^di'ion ascribed to the Pelasgi A Itlln^Tn' r^" *" ""'' style of building? A. It 18 called Cyclopic architecture, because its strength and rudeness reminds us of the Cyclops. ' Q. Who were the Cyclops 1 remarkable for their ugliness and their strength. CHAPTER V. THE ORIGIN OP NATIONS CONTINUED. Q. Where were the Iberians settled ? A. in the extreme west of Europe • little ■« known of this people beyond their naT;' but from their easdy mixing with the Celtic tribes tW appear to have descended from the same stock ^ Q. Where did the Celts dwell ? of ^ Jtm^Jlrr-"'"'* •^'P''=''"y *h«t branch ?■ Yu° ^^""^ ""^ Scythians ? aget'inlbiS' T^^^ P.'°P''' ''"'' '"'•"'" *»•« artiest ages inhabited the northern parts of Eurone and Asia, whence hordes of them have fr.o.,PnIPL!"J into me more fruitful regions of the "souThTsprealing \ UNIVERSAL HISTORr. 11 of enor- to have uniform liltling? -ause its lops. equally th. > » ttle is t from they k. ranch inally have they Iritish rliest and iding terror and desolation every where. Sometimes they have returned back with their plunder, but more frequently they have settled in the conquered countries, and there founded new kingdoms. Q. What modern nation is descended from the Scythians t A. The Tartars; and they still preserve the wandering, warlike, and plundering habits of their ancestors. Q. Were there any other causes that operated to change the character of nalions besides these inva- sions ? A. Yes, commercial nations, as soon as they attained power and strength, began to send out colonies to places convenient for trade. These colonies, in process of time, formed new states or kingdoms. Q. What nations first sent out colonies 1 A. The Phcenicians were the first, and after a lapse of some centuries the Grecians imitated their example. Q. Where did the Phoenicians dwell? A. We rQad of them as settled at the eastern ex- tremity of the Mediterranean in the remotest ages. Their chief city was at first Sidon, but it was soon eclip3ed by the rising greatness of Tyre, which be- came the richest and most powerful commercial city on record. The prophet Issuah says of Tyre, that " its merchants were princes, and its traffickers the honourable of the earth." Q. For what were the Phoenicians particularly remarkable] A- Ti^Or ihftir orp.at ftlrill in nnviontinn \ thftv np.nA* trated into the Atlantic Ocear ^nd traded with the 13 CATECHISM OF Britisliislands ; they are said, c.i very eood authnr auafntpH 7 .f ' *"" unquestionably they were ac- post srsi-n ts,Vort? -r T mercial Lt i„l?:;i^=''"« *^« g-^-t com- A S""^ T'"" !.^' ^'''^ ««'<">ies settled 1 took'pItsStf r' ''"'""'^^ --e those that years befor; 1,e birt^, o^ Chri?"" n°"' '^r'""^ GreekssPnf^T • : <^nrist afterwards the tions on the A.T ', *" *^'^''"^' commercial situa- rope ? '^''' "" *"''*"'*^« in Western Eu. 4; tSt L" oXrpaT^ffhf ""'T"*^ '■" caned Great Greece K« ttLT'Th^ ^ ob^.ned possession of a great part of Sicilv^ ^ pled ■? "" " '^"'^^ '"PP^'^'J '° •'^ve been peo- nenisalnrostjomin the north at Behring's Straits L onTor "'* r..'"'^ ■" Americaiace o a nation possessing habits, customs, and traditions sumlar to those of the Cuthite tiibes'in ?he Sw Con! 1 author- he Cape vere ac» rrica, on loenician arly op- his city yre was St oom- d? ose that Minor, lousand •ds the il situa- Tn Eu- lents in la was ey also m peo- UNIVERSAI, HISTORY. CHAPTER VI. 13 THE REVOLUTIONS IN NATIONS AND EMPIRES.* , THE ASSYRIAN AND PERSIAN EMPIRES. Q. Where was the first great empire estab- hshed? * A. In central Asia, where Ninus founded the Assyrian empire, and made Nineveh the capital of his dominions. Q. By whom was this empire enlarged ? A. By Semiramis, his wife, and successor ; she transferred the seat of government to Babylon, and laid the foundation of the future greatness of that city. Q. Did the subsequent sovereigns imitate her wisdom ? A. No ; they sunk into sloth and luxury, confin- ing themselves in their palaces, and indulging in' every species of debauchery and dissipation. Q. What was the consequence of this niscon- duct ? A. In the reign of Sardanapalus, the Medes rose in rebellion, and being joined by other tribes, be- sieged their sovereign in Babylon. Sooner than submit to the insurgents, Sardanapalus piled together all his treasures, and having set fire to the whole, threw himself into the flames. With him ended the first Assyrian empire, after it had lasted twelve hundred years. Q. What followed ? A. After about forty years of confusion, a new empire was founded, which attained greater cele- brity, though it did not possess such extensive do- mmions as the former. u catech;ism or Q. Un-ler wliat sovereign did the second Absv- rian empire flourisli most 1 ' A. Under Vebuchadnezzar the Great. He complete y subdued the g,eater part of Centra/ Asia and after liaving taken Jerusalem, he carried the Jevvs into captiviiy, as his predecessors had done to the Israelites. Q. What distinction do you make between the Jews and Israelites ? .A^' ^^ ''f ■^^"'^ } '"^'"' *^^ *wo tribes which adhered o the royal family of David, when the other two revolted under the guidance of Jeroboam. ove^^hroLl'"" """" ""' ^'""'^ ^^^■^"'" ^•"P''^ A. By Cyrus the Great, a Persian prince. y. Uid he establish any neve empire ? »a7\n ' ' ^^ ^''""''?'* ""' P^-^'^n e'npife. which was still more extensive than the preceding. Q. Why is the history of the Persian empire bet- ter known than that of the Assyrian ' A. Because the Persians pursued their conquests r„nl.f''°^!!ff o^'*^'" ^''^' ''"<' «'»«« <^a">e into contact with the Greeks at the precise period when histoj!^'^ sufficiently civilized to pay attention to Q. What were the principal conquests of (Jvrm ? A. He subdued the Assyrian empire, vviiicii comprehended the greater part of Central Asia : he conquered the Lydians, Phrygians, and Grecian colonies ,n Asia Minor, and he made himself mas- ter of Phffini j'u iind Syria. Q. Whi. 1 t :,',£ ..le of Cyrus ? ^ A. The t./o greatest historians, Herodotus and w"Z"r' ^'"'? ''^'y opposite accounts of his death, Dut the former is more generally credited. UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 15 id Assy- it. He Centra/ s carried lad done 'cen the 3 which he other n. empire which >ire bet- nquests fie into 1 when ition to Q. What is the account given by Herodotus 1 A. He says that Cyrus having invaded Scythia, 'incautiously advanced too far ; Tomyris, the queen of the Massagetffi, a Scythian tribe, took advantage of his rashness, and after many harassing skirmishes, she suddenly attacked the Persian forces, cut the greater p^rt of them to pieces, and slew the king himself on the spot. Q. How is Tomyris said to have insulted ner enemy's dead body ) A. She ordered In's head to be cut off and thrown into a vessel tilled with human blood, saying, " Let him now satiate himself with that for which he has always thirsted." Q. What account does Xenophon give of the death of Cyrus 1 A. Xenophon declares, that after a long and prosperous reign, he died tranquilly at Babylon. Q. Did the successors of Cyrus enlarge the boundaries of his empire. A. Yes ; his son Cambyses annexed Egypt to the Persian dominions. wiiicii iia ; he Srecian f mas- CHAPTER VH. THE REVOLUTIONS IN NATIONS .^ND EMPIRES. THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN KINGDOM. , Q. By whom was the kingdom of Egypt founded 1 raim, the son of Ham, about two thousand yeata 16 CATECHISM OF before the christian era • U ?o.* ^ centuries, when it S' over h """': ^^'" «^'-^*«^" ^» iJid the anclpnf -p.. .• , «elve« by any worksofaff ?'""^ '^'^«"§»-'«'» them- es V.tuut'i;^!^"-'^^^''^ f- 'heir stupen. ti'ough erected now 'mo e than fh ^^'\T'"^'' ^'"'^h, have never been eqSV}''^ '^°'^'^"'i years, C'fnt capital, is supr o'ed to It 'u' '^''' '""«' «"- c'ty in the world/^ '" '"^^ ^een the greatest Q- For what besides their mo •. j Egypfan works of art remark br/"""''" are the A. For nothine else • tK„ of elegance and |rte • h/ f? ""'"^ "Jestitute Fe^ent the stranglt mixtut of "'' f *^'«''- gods forms ; and the columns of!h. ",""" ^"<^ ''uman have been erected wTout Jt *^TP''« '^^'^ to of proportion. "' ^"^ '■^gard to the rules orscfencS fhr^s' -^ V''^'^ '^"^'^'^ge learnmg was confined in r "' ""''"'•tunatet and this privileged cltsuSp' *" "'^ P^^'hood^ vent the diffu.io^ of kno,vUi ^"^''^ '"^='"«' 'o pre- Q- What means wer^ mf?"^""^ "'^ Poopl^- purpose ? '^^'^® "lost efficacious /l-r this ■^ymb^lllat^^^^^^^ they used certain demiood the meaningy£ii t! ^'T '"""^ ""- ' their interpretation I n ofo^'i'^"'' ^"'^ «« they kept Peraon of their order luf^l'^.fr*"-^'' "o one but a H- AiB thfl« o„" ■ " "'"oy science. '"« histo^ ofTncirSy'S"^ ^^^"'« --^ded i„ ??■ UNIVERSAL HISTORY. <^an sixteen Y Cambyses, g«ish them- fieir stupen- 'ds, which, i^and years, •ir most an- tlie greatest ® are the ^ ,ans -« -ore 4cI:i'I^:£j-/-t-e.pi.e aaer the oft fnttrrld:'"'' '"'""''^'' "'^ Sr-*- part CHAPTER IX. THE REVOLUTIONS IN NATIONS AND EMPIRES ™. rK0OK.SS .K„ ...,„ 0. TH. KOM.. EMPIRE. Q. By whom was Rome foim^^A i UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 21 Jrature. A xandria, in of the most [ed the cul- example. » kingdom ? ailed Selu- They were ^f E2:ypf. )f Parthia » took up edonians ; ion of the :able ? principal o usually Hence v^as more after the ater part fPIRES. [AN >mulus, birth of Christ, but there is reason to believe that the city existed much earlier. Q. Why is there much uncertainty about tha early Roman history ? A. Because the most important records were des troyed when u.c city was taken by the Gauls. Q. What was the Roman form of government? A. It was at first governed by kmgs, of whom seven reigned in succession ; afterwards a republi- can form of government was established, which lasted more than four hundred years, and was finally overthrown by Julius Cajsar. Q. Had the Romans to struggle with many diffi- culties before they attained universal dominion ? A. Few nations had to contend with greater ; their city was taken by Porsenna, (a fact tliat his- torians vainly labour to conceal,) and burned by the Gauls; in the wars with Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, and with the Carthaginians, they were more than once brought to the very brink of ruin. Their un- conquerable courage, however, made them rise superior to every misfortune, and finally raised them to the summit of empire. Q. What were the first nations subdued by the Romans ? A.' The Latins, and some other small states in central Italy. After the termination of the war with Pyrrhus, (B. C. 274,) the Greek states in the south acknowledged the supremacy of Rome, and the subjugation of the entire peninsula was com- pleted soon after. at by the Romans ? A. The island of Sicily, which being equally de- 22 ^r CATECHISM OF Punic wars ^' *''^° """''"^' ''""""only called the Q. How did these wars terminate? 4 Jht o'trdL&ij ,fr5r ' ^""^ - Sica, Sardinia, Sicilv Snl'„ ^ the add,f,on of Cor- Q. Did the; acqKnl"', """^ ^"''^'"^ Africa. about this time ? ^ ^"^ dominions in the east fh/' ^^® ' "^"""g *e second and third P„n;„ ofEpirus, MacelCa:;^^^^^^^^^^^ Ast/" ""^^ '^'^ ''' *« Ko-ns passTver into 4i*Sph:f„,f,t^h„s, king of Syria, Wished their own'^authoriilt """"■"''' """^ ^^ta- Minor. autiorily as paramount in Asia moJvfgLtr; o^pSld """'=' ""^ «^« ^«™a„s twety^L^tfS, '"! °'. ^°"*"^' ^ho for the Romans'fhe vvasSell Tr'7'' ^g^'"^ quently deserted rcowLi" I,? ''^'''''^' ""''^ fi^' ed by faithless friends •bm\^'^"'' ^""^ "^^'^^y conquered, he rose s.m« ■ . ' -T"' '^^^ ««» "n- foun'd a dangSivK 11^''''^"^' -"d Was seemed com^letelJ^shedV'' """"^"' ^^''^" '^^ y. By whom was Mithridates subdued ? A. He was totally defeated ht T ' ri UNIVERSAL HISTORY, 23 ' destructive 'y called the ^5 and en- ion of Cor- 3rn Africa, n the east 'unic wars St with the ubjugation Jece. over into of Syria, and esta- ' in Asia ' Roma ns who for f against nore fre- J betray- still un- ^nd Was I'hen he -y? and he me- through lorthern Alps 5 but his soldiers, terrified by the prospect of such dangers as they must have encountered, mutinied and placed his son at their head. Mith- ridates, thus deprived of all hope, put an end to his life by poison. Q.*^ Did Pompey enlarge the dominions of Rome ? A. Yes, he subdued Syria, Palestine, and several other important provinces in Asia. Q. Were any additional conquests made in Western Europe ? A. Julius Cffisar subdued Gaul and part of Bri- tain ; he also penetrated some distance into Ger- many. Q. When vs^as Egypt annexed to the Roman dominions ? A. It was made a Roman province by Augustus after his victory at Actium, B. C. 31. Q. Why is this epoch particulary remarkable ? A. Because then the Roman empire was com- pletely established on the ruins of the republic. Q. Were any additions made to the Roman empire in the reign of Augustus ? A. Yes, Vindelicia, Rhoetia, and some other German districts were made provinces. Q. When was Britain completely subdued ? A. The entire island was never conquered, but the Romans obtained possession of England, as a province, after the defeat of Caractacus, A. D. 51. Q. What was the last important addition made to the Roman empire ? A. Dacia, which was subjugated by the emperor 24 CATECHISM OF CHAPTER X. THE REVOLUTIONS IN NATIONS AND EMPIRES. THE EFFECTS OF CONSTANTINE's REIGN. Q. What mav be considered as the first cause of the Dechne and Fall of the Roman empire ? A. In addition to the vices of the rulers, the luxury of the nobles, the profligacy of the people, and the general demoralization of all classes, we may consider the transfer of the seat of government Irom Rome to Byzantium as one of the causes which operated most powerfully in bringing about the destruction ofthis mighty empire. Q. By vi^hom was this eflected ? Qo^' u^ ?® emperor Constantino the Great, A.D. ^^S ; he changed the name of Byzantium to Con stantinople, and it is so called to the present day. Q. For what reason did he select Byzantium as the capital of the empire ? A. On account of its central situation It stands on the narrow strait which separates Europe from Asia, and seemed therefore well fitted to he the metropolis of an empire, which included a great part of both quarters of the globe. It possesses also one of the finest harbours in the world, and com- mands the navigation of the seas in the east of Jtiurope. Q. Is there any other reason assigned for this selection . A. Some credulous historians have asserted, that Conetantine at first chose Chalcedon, fnow Scutari.^ at the opposite side of the strait as his capital, but that while planning the ground, an eagle seized en " j^^'" UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 25 EMPIRES. IGN. St cause of :» ? ulers, the le people, asses, we >vern merit le causes ;ing about the architect's line, and flying across the elrait, dropped it on the Byzantine shore* Q. For what is the reign of Constantine more particularly remarkable ? A, During his reign ctiristianity was established as the public religion of the empire, the pagan temples destroyed, and the heathen sacrifices pro- hibited. Q. When was the Koman empire divided ? A. After the death of Jovian (A.D. 864), one of his successors, Valens, became emperor of the east ; the empire of the west fell to the lot of Valen- tinian. eat, A.D. to Con it day. mtium as It stands )pe from ) be the a great sses also nd com- east of for this (ed, that Scutari.) )ital, but jized en CHAPTER XI. THE REVOLUTIONS IN NATIONS AND EMPIRES. THE FALL OF THE WESTERN EMPIRE. Q. Which was, the eastern or western empire, first destroyed ? A. The western ; the Romans, and indeed all the Italians exhibited the most lamentable weakness and decay. Barbarous tribes from the forests of bcythia, Sarmalia, and Germany, poured their forces mto the frontier provinces, and at length found their way over the Alps ; and the inhabitants, sunk in luxury and sloth, were unable to offer any effectual resistance. "^ ^ . Q. What were the names of these tribes ? ^ A. Tne ttuns, Goths, Vandals, Alaos, Lombards, b!2 26 CATECHISM OF Q. Where did these tribes settle ? A. The Vandals seized on Spain, the Burffun- dians took possession of that part of Gaul, which fitill retains their name. The Visigoths, after hav- ing taken and phindered Home itself, established a kingdom in the south of France, and the Franks from whom the modern Frencii are descen-'ed wL^J^E^^^ ^^^^"ation of a new state on the Q. When did these events take place ? nu^\^'' the beginning of the fifth century after Christ, and before that century was terminated, the entire western empire was completely broken up. Q. How did the Roman emperors act ? A. They withdrew their forces from the more remote provinces, leaving the inhabitants, degraded by ong servitude, to make the best defences thev could 5 they also hired some of the barbarians to check the progress of the othe.., but generally found their allies equa ly as dangerous as their enemies. ^ (4. When did Britain cease to be a Roman Pro- vince ? A. The Romans quitted Britain, A. D. 426 and never returned. ^ Q. Did the Vandals establish themselves in anv ' country but Spain ? ^ A. Yes ; under the guidance of Genseric, thev passed over into North Africa, and founded k kingdom there. Q. Which of the barbarians committed the most learlul ravages ? A. Attila, king of the Huns, who spread such ..nn>i";7 "•^^'&"^"^^^H^'^P^'j"iawie was usually called t/ic scourge of God, UNIVERSAL HISTORY, 27 e Burgun- lul, which after hav- ablished a e Franks, lescen-ied, ite on the itury after naled, the cen up. the more I degraded nces they )arians to illy found lemies. man Pro- 426, and 3S in any ^ric, they unded a the most ad such s usually Q. What nation became masters of Southern Britain ? A. The Saxons. After being deserted by the Romans, the Britains were unable to protect them- selves from the inroads of their ferocious neighbours, the Picts and Scots, they therefore applied for assis- tance to the Angli, a Sixon tribe ; but they, after having repelled the invaders, established themselves in the country, which they called after their own name, Angleland, since contracted into England. Q. When was the western empire completely overthrown ? A. When Augustulus, the last emperor, was de- throned by Odoacer, king of the Heruli ; the con- queror assumed the title of king of Italy, (A.D. 476.) Q. By whom was the kingdom of France founded ? A. By Clovis, king of the Franks ; he defeated. Siagrias, the Roman general, at Soissons, and by this victory became master of the greater part of Gaul. Q. Was there any other of the invading nations settled in Gaul ? A, The Ostrogoths or eastern Goths (so called to distinguish them from the Visigoths, who lived in the west) possessed the south eastern part of the country. Q. Which of the Ostrogothic monarchs was the most remarkable ? A. Theodoric, who, A. D. 4^93, conquered Italy from the Heruli, and establised a kingdom, of which Ravenna was the capital. Q. Did any of the eastern emperors make an attempt to recover Italy ? A. Yes 5 Justinian the First, during his glorious 28 CATECHISM OP Sv' hi i^ 'f '','■'"'' ^'"''"■'"' '"'^ Afi-i*'^ and staSmYn'? •^"'""''" "''""^'^"^ ^^ ^ '^S'^'^'"^ ^"'l A. Yes ; he collecleil the great body of the Roman laws into one uniform code, called the Pandects ; on this celebrated code the civil law throughout Europe is founded. The emperors be- iZr"?^ *^"' I'' ^V^^ ^'"'""^^ of Alaric, king of the Goths, purchased peace from the barbarians, bv paying tribute ; but Justinian refused to conti lue the degrading practice. lo„?'com?„ie' ""'"'' "''''''''' "' *"^ ^-1'- A. No ; fresh hordes of barbarians poured into the provinces, the emperors were destitute ofcou- fh£' "^ r "u*' "' I'/'"^' Constantinople became a theatre for the exhibition of every crime, and the ?1'"Tl '" '^® "^^^^ ^^^'■e 'OS* irrecoverably. r JJl t"®''' *'■''''' of barbarians invaded Italy ? ,1. 1* ir ^o"gobardi or Lombards, so called from the length of their beards. They came from Pan- nonia, (the modern kingdom of Hungary.) and founded the kingdom ofLorabardy in northern Italy! Q. How long did the empire of the east continue ? A. About a thousand years, though exposed to dangers as great as those to which the western em- pire had yielded in a single century. It was as- sailed on all sides by the barbarians, and was at the same time torn by internal commotions, in them, se ves sufficient to have destroyed the most power- tPuSo??"^ *''^" ^"^ '' ^*''^'' ^""" imniediate des- i '■'^m I 1 UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 29 Africa and xed to the islator and y of the called the civil law )erors be- ic, king of arians, by continue e empire ured into 5 ofcou- )ecame a ) and the biy. 3d Italy ? lied from om Pan- tO and mi Italy, ^ntinue ? posed to tern em- was as- as at the 1 them- power* ate des- •i^i A. By the almost impregnable situation of its capital, where the forces of the empire were kept secure until the storm swept by, and by its despotic form of government, which prevented the dissolution of the monarchy while the ruler lived. CHAPTER XII. THE REVOLUTIONS IN NATIONS AND EMPIRES. THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE MOHAMMEDANS. Q. In the last chapter we viewed the manner in which the western empire was broken up into several kingdoms by the invasions of the northern barbarians ; let us now direct our attention to the eastern empire. Can you tell me by what formid- able enemies was it assailed ? A. By the followers of the Arabian impostor Mohammed, called Saracens, Turks, Tartars, Mo- guls, &c. ; to the ferocity of the northern barbarians they joined religious bigotry, and put to the sword all who refused to adopt the system of their false prophet. Q. Who was Mohammed ? A. He was the son of Abdallah, an Arab noble- man, who resided at Mecca ; he was born A. D. 569, and soon after his birth had the misfortune to lose both his parents ; his uncles seized on the orphan's property, and shared it among them ; but one of them more charitable than the rest adopted him and gave him an education suitable to his birth. b3 :.m 30 CATECHISM OF Q. Hovv was Mohammed first raised into notice ? A. By his marriage with a rich widow'- bein^ enabled ,0 support the dignity of his birtt/heTe! came the chief of a powerful political party i„ Mecca and was a dangerous opponent of tie prophet? commence his career as a A. In the fortieth year of his age ; his first con- verts were made in his own family, but as theJ were persons of great influence, the'y lead hi^ doctrines among their friends and dependants the Koreisb foreseeing that the religions power 2uied by the founder of the new sect would be diSd to their destruction, took up arms, and compelled SIo hammed to fly, with his followers, to Mela' ^" rem'iiteU'f °' ''°''^'"™^'' ''^"^ ^^^ ^ f ^'7.u^ U' ? ''^"'"^ *''« era of the Hegira and fn,m It the Mohammedan nations still reclfr'thel Q. How did Mohammed pursue his course ? A. He soon became the prince of Medina and MTcr'-'tfLT""-^ "■^'''^^'"^' '.is enemies at Mecca , he fought m person at nine battles, and in the course of ten years made himself maste of th" entire peninsula of Arabia. The Koreish were the hrst who submmed, and the other tribes soonfol! lowed then- example. Mecca, after a longresS- ance, yielded, and there Mohammed .lied, afte having laui the foundation of the most ext'en^S Q. Where are the principles of the Mohamme- dan religion explained ? "lonamme- ^to^notice ? >w ; being ftli, he be- party in nt of the of Arabia, reer as a first con- 't as they pread his ants ; the acquired irected to Jlled Mo- ina. ^^ecca a gira, and '^on their se? na, and Jrnies at 5 and in r of the I'ere the oon fol- resist- }, after tensive amme- '^ UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 31 A. Ir the Koran, a work written by Mohammed, partly at Mecca, and partly at Medina ; it is regard- ed by his followers with tlie same reverence that the Bible ij» by Christians. Q. What are the most remarkable features in the religion of Mohammed ? A. The Koran asserts the unity of the Godhead in the strongest termsj and contains many doctrines, borrowed both from the Old and New Testament, which were manifestly introduced to conciliate both Jews and Christians. It imposes on all true be- lievers the necessity of propagating their religion by the sword, and promises them the most extravagant sensual enjoyments in another world, as a reward for their adherence to the mandates of the prophet. Q. What was the first country subdued by the Mohammedans • A. Syria ; preparations were made to invade this country previous to the impostor's death, and after that event, Abu-bekir, the father-in-law and succes- sor of Mohammed, led his forces into the country, and having defeated the Greek emperor obtained possession of all the provinces between Mount Li- banus or Lebannon, and the Mediterranean sea. Q. Were these conquests extended farther ? A. Omar, who succeeded the former caliph, was the bravest and wisest of the Mohammedan rulers ; he deprived the Greek empire of the remainder of Syria, and subdued Phoenicia, Mesopotamia, Chal- dsea, and Persia j at the same time his generals con- quered Egypt, Libya, and Numidia. Q. What other countries were afterwards sub= dued ? A. Spain was almost totally subjugated by a 32 CATECHISM OP --S St "is r;. \ Count J,ia„ .0 fioderic, the J&^leX^'lf^^l "y King France was invaded, but Jas fvefh ,1 '?""'^' CHAPTER Xlir THEREVOLCrxoNSm^^^NSANBEMHRES. THE NEW EMPIRE OF THE WEST. the'teS "'" ''' ' «^<=-«' e.pi.^ established in ' croteI"4^et':S":;eS^^^^^ "^ France, was Kome, A. D. 800 ; his dom?L ^ "^f ^° "I- ^^ Germany, and Italy •^''"■™°"« '"eluded France, which the' ancS Fre"nctSn \ ^/ ""^ '="^">"> th^r dominion, ,4Xir'cBet!' '' ''^''""^ qnests were not so'exte!^,^ve7'"'^''' *'"' *'*^'' ""n* -'• '■ir^r'i.^ Vm wSS WaSSOiM UNIVERSAL HISTORY. f^t Julian to er by King at country. the abilities '^nt victory probability ke. d? previous- 33 MFIRE3. lished i in ce, was III. at France, custom ividing lat in- flames 3l and ' con- » •/I u Q. What countries did they principally devastate ? A. England and France ; in the latter country they obtained the province of Neustria, which they called after their own name, Normandy. Q. Did they make any other conquest ? A. They established themselves in Sicily, and in the south of Italy. Q. Who was the first Norman monarch that ruled in England ? A. William, surnamed the Conqueror ; he was the natural son of Eobert duke of Normandy, and after his father's death succeeded to the inheritance of that duchy. Edward, called the Confessor, the last of the Anglo-Saxon monarchs, bequeathed the crown of England to William, and though the great majority of the EngHsh nation chose Harold for their king, William was enabled to make himself master ofthecountry, A. D. 1066. Q. What was the general character of the Nor- mans as conquerors ? A. They treated the native inhabitants with the most barbarous cruelty both in England, France, and Sicily. The feudal system, which had begun in France after the death of Charlemagne, was adopted by the Normans, and pushed to a fearful extent. The serfs were treated as the absolute pro- perty of their masters, and exposed to every species of oppression. Q. What was the condition of Italy after the cessation of the inroads of the barbarians? A. A great number of small republics were formed, which, if they had been united by a general confederacy, would probably have formed the hap- piest and most powerful slate in Europe j but they 34. CATECmm OF O mui^u J,^^ '^y internal commotions. were the most re- l~or,«-E markable 49r ^-^^^^^^^^ ~..Me vvassupeLtoaJltheioi^T"'''"'^ '^^' 'depone him in disputes JhT ^'^ ^'"lence in -olved CHAPTER XIV THE REVOLUTIONS IV NATIONs'aND EMPIRES 'les^^ndams oWlX"!, T^^f^.^^^-f-S the •''-n the Bo.a„ eni^'ocZ'^^^^^S 'M UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 35 their ancestors had won, were not the Saracenic caliphs attacked by new barbarous tribes ? A. Yes ; the Tartars or Turks, whom they had taken into their pay, and instructed in the Moham- medan religion, took up arms against their employers, and founded four new kingdoms or sultanies in Asia. Q. What were these sullanies called ? A. The three first were denominated Seljukian, from Seljuk the founder of their race ; the fourth was called the Ottoman, and from this the present Turkish empire is deduced. Q. Where were these sultanies established ? A. In middle and southern Asia ;, the first Selju- kian sultany was that of Persia ; the second was the sultany of Kennan, in ancient Cannania, on the shores of the Persian Gulf ; the third was named the sultany of Roum or Iconium, and occupied the greater part of Asia Minor ; the Ottoman sultany was founded last of all, its original seat of govern- ment was Prusa in Lithynia. Q. What was the consequence of the overthrow of the original Saracenic empire ? A. It produced a fatal effect on the civilization of Asia; the Arabian Saracens were attached to literature and science ; the courts of the first caliphs were filled with men of learning, whom the govern- ment protected and encouraged; but the Turkish and Tartar tribes were purely barbarians, not merely ignorant of literature, but despising and detesting its very name. O, Did the Seliukians nersecute the christians ? A. Yes, with far more severity than the caliphs had done ; in fact, after the first burst of religious 36 CATECHISM OP tecled merely their chStifnTf-'''''' '"'' "°' P^o- and invited christian LTchLf. , ^"'T^" ^ates, dominions. But the Turk. . ?u """'^ '" ^heir persecutor., and inLtedte Tj" 1'.?"^* r^' *'"«'« "nfortunate christians Tf, ' "''^ ''^'^'""ies pilgrimages to .he scenel XrKrL""*^^^'"^ illustrious by the birth 1;^ i j "f ®" rendered seems to have prevaS ^J' H ^T^ "^ ^^"^i> church ; but wCfisSem Z S"^ T "'"'he the Saracens these SSes b- ° ^^ '"^"''^ "^ gerous, more especial! vaSf^I "^"^ ''^''^ eror, and declared hemselve^j independent. They were soon joined ^)y others, and animated by love of liberty, they over- came the immense armies sent against them, and ^'''n wu^^'^'" freedom by the most heroic bravery. Q. What kingdom was about this time founded m the north of Germany ? A. The kingdom of Prussia ; it was conquered by tlie leutonickmghtsjand continued for a long time iMibject to that order. Afterv/ards the sovereignty was €oiiferred on the house of Brandeiiburgh, in ivliMih family it still continues. Q. With what nations were the Prussians at war during the greater part of their early history ? A. With the Poles, a brave Sarmatian people, who during the middle ages were the most conepi- cuous of the continental nations for valour and in- tegrity. Q. What northern nations began to be conspi- cuous about the same period 1 A. The Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes ; these nations having ceased from sending out their pira- tical fleets, began to assume a place among the ii^uropean stales. Tiiey were however little known iiiitil they were united into one stale by the treaty ofCalmer, A. D. 1397. vv. Hoiv vvpiv^ fifToJi.^^ r..^*^^.i^t.^ J :^. ii-_ _ i z' - •• — "- ^-"ii^ii^:: vvUssum^icu iii liie {i'd'ii alter the cessation of the crusades? A. The Greek emperors dit^played the moit g€an- li '. -i m B 40 CATECHIijM OF clalous cowardice and incnpncity. The Oltornans iinviiig siiccoeilod to the doininion« of t!ie Seljnkian 1 urks, coinpleler] the -onquest of the Greek provin- ces in Asia, and at length passed over into Europe, under the guidance of Amurath I., (A. D. 1352.) Q. Did the Turks meet with much success in jL-urope ? A. They subdued the greater part of ancient 111 race, and established ihcir seat of government at Adrianople. Q. Did they innmediately overthrow the Greek empire? A, No ; its fate was delayed by the sudden irrup- tion of TimourBec, or Tamerlane, a leader of a new rartar tribe, into the Asiatic provinces. Bnjazet, the lurkish emperor, went against the invader, but was defeated and made prisoner at the battle of rrusa. Q. When was Constantinople taken ? oo.f * r^ nT^' captured by Mohammed 11., on the 29th of May A.D. 1453; Constantine, the last and best of^ the Greek emperors, made a gallant resistance, but the Turks were lavish of life, and numbers hnally triumphed over valour. Thus en- ded the eastern empire, and on its ruins was estab-' Iished the kingdom of Turkev. CHAPTER XVI, THE REVOLUTIONS IN NATIONS AND EMPIRES. THE DISCOVERY OF AMEEICA. r !?' jy^^^'^.^'^^^o imporiant events in the latter part of the fifieenth century produced great changes in the stale of Europe ? UiNIVEUSAL HISTORY. 41 Oltornnns Seljnkiari ?k provin* 3 Europe, . 1352.) J c cess in f ancient rnment nt ;ie Greek len irrup- ofa new Bnjazet, ader, but battle of 5 on the , the last I galhint life, and Fhus en- s estab-' SPIRES. tter part nges. in- A. The discovery of America by Christopher Co- Inmbiis, a Genoe:je, in the service of Spain, (A. D. M<92,) and the discovery of the passage round the Cape of Good liojie by Vasco de Gama, a Portu- guese admiral, (A. D. 14-95) Q. Did any other event at t'ae same time raise Spam to a very high rank among the nations of Europe l A. Yes, the province of Granada was subdued by Ferdinand and Isabella, and the Moorish dynasty totally destroyed. Q. Who was Columbus? A. He was a native of Genoa, a state that rivalled Venice in commerce and riches. The * Genoese, previous to the destruction of the Greek empire, had a mercantile colony on the Black Sea, from which they traded over land with India. But when the progress of the Turks drove them from this establish- ment, they saw with regret the commerce of the eaht usurped by their rivals the Venetians. Columbus participating in these feelings, advised his country- men to seek a new line of communication with India by sailing westwards. Q. How was this proposal received by the Ge noese senate ] A. they treated it with contempt ; few could, at that time, conceive the possibility of arriving at a country that lay to the east of them by sailing in a wes- terly direction ; for though the real figure of the eartii" was at that time known to most men of learning, the knowledge of it was not so general that all would confess it, nor so accurate that even the learned could understand the consequence of this Importat truth. * See Chapter XX. 42 CATECHISM OP Q. To uhom di.I Colnnibus noxt nnpiv 7 venloflMn'r ^ ; ^'""i.''' ''•'""'■° avarice nre- ventca Imn .n„n advancngtl.c money necessary to nt 0. a proper armament. He ther> annii ,i , »abella, a-ul «1„, having heard Co ,d. J'o 1 n 1..H plans, ,vn« so convinced of their «t,ii v and in A. Yes ; his crew, wearied bv the Icnre on tlie goodness of hiy trooi)S than the justice of his cause, touk military possession of the country. Q, By what other enemies was Maria Theresa assailed? A. The elector of Bavaria, aided hy the French, was proclaimed Emperor of Germany, and immedi- ately invaded the hereditary dominions of the house of Austria. His successes were so rapid, that he would probably have caj)tured Vienna, and put a glorious end to tlie war, had he not turned aside to invade Bohemia. Q. How did Maria Theresa act in these diiTi- culiies ] A. More like a hero than a woman. She ap- peared before the states of Hungary, with her infant son in her arms, and in a spirited harangue e.vplain- edtlie dilliculties of her situation. The Hungarian nobles were fired with enthusiasm, and exclaimed with one accord, ^* Let us die for ou?' king, Maria Theresa.^'' Q. How was the contest decided ? A. The unfortunate Bavarian prince was soon stripped, not merely of his conquests, but even of his hereditary dominions, and died of a broken the war as auxiliaries, but very soon became prin- I UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 67 I cipals, wastei! each ollior's strength hy fiirioiis en- gagements in every part of the world, and at len;>th wearied out, concluded a peacL at Aixda-Chapelle, ten limes more absurd than the war which it ter- minated. Q. Why do you give such a character to the treaty of Aix-ha-Cliapelle 1 A. Because every object which llie several com- batants proposed to tlieniselves was pa>:?ed over al- most witliout notice in the treaty, and all the iriat- ters in dispute between tlie English and French courts were more unsettled than ever. Q, Wh.at was tlie consequence of this error 1 A. What every rational being might have ex- pected, a new war more fierce and blooily than the preceding. The allies, however, had changed sides, England being now joined to Prussia, and France iiaving entered into alliance with Austria, after having been opposed to that power for nearly a century. Q. What was this war called ? A. From the length of time that it laeted, it has been usually called " The Seven Years' War." Q. What were the most remarkable features in this war? A. The English were at first very unsuccessful, but soon after, under the administration of the Earl of Chatham, they became triumphaiit in every part of the world, and stripped the French of alm()^3t all their colonies ; the King of Prussia, attacked by the united forces of Russia, Austria, and France* seemed on the very brink of ruin, but he extricated him.self from, all his diiTiculties, and secured all hi^ conquests. w •I* m V i ■/' 58 CATECHISM OF Q. What effect did this war produce on the European nations ? A. Prussia from thenceforward became one ofthe leading European slates ; Russia, which had hither- to talven httle share in the concerns of its neigh- bours, assumed tlie right of interfering in the pohiics ofthe continent ; France, by the loss of her posses- sions in India and North America, ceased to con- tend for naval superiority ; and England obtained imdi^fputed maritime and commercial supremacy. CHAPTER XX. Tll£ REVOLTIONS IN NATIONS AND EMPIRES. THE AMERICAN WAR. Q. After the conclusion of the Seven Years' War, what were the next most important changes in the nations of Europe ? A. The annexation of Corsica to France, the conquest of the Northern provinces of Turkey by the Russians, and the partition of Poland. Q. What led to the war in Corsica ? A. The Genoese, to whom the island had been long subject, treated the inhabitants with great cruelty, and finally drove them into open rebellion. The Corsicans elected Paoli as their general, and umlev his guidance expelled their oppressors from the island. Q. How did the Genoese then act? A. They ceded the island to the king of France, Iraiiijlenntg to him the sovereignty of a free people, itvilli as little scruple as if they were selling an estate. I UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 5!) < Q. What was the result ? A. After a gallant but ineflectual resistance to the overwhelming forces of France, the Corsicans were at length forced to yield, and Paoli took refuge in Ji^ngland. Q. Under whose govern ntient did Russia extend her territories at the expense of the Turks ? A. Under that of Catherine II. 5 she subdued tho peninsula of Ciim Tartary, and obtained possession ot several important naval stations on the Black Sea. Q. Why did not some other European states en- deavour to prevent the aggrandizement of Russia ? A. Austria interfered for that purpose, but that power was bribed by a promise of part of Poland to withdraw all opposition. For it has been always the short-sighted policy of the Austrian govern- ment to accept a bribe from any power by which it may be offered. Q. Wliat was the first cause that led to the par- tition of Poland ? A. The religious dissensions of the inhabitants, and the unwise persecution of the protestants and christians of the Greek religion by the catholics, who were the prevailing party. Q. How did this produce irremediable evil? A. The Russian government took the DissideniSy as the united protestants and Greeks were called, under its protection, and marched a powerful army into Poland, to enforce the restoration of their politi- cal rights. Having once assumed the right of inler- forence in the aOairs of Poland, the Russians con. tinued to keep an army in. the country to niaintaiu tlieir parly. •I 60 CATECHISM OF Q. In what manner did these proceedings terminate ? A. The Russians, Prussians, and Aiistrians divided the greater pait of the Polish territories, leaving the lui fortunate king Stanislaus little more than the shadow of a kingdom. After a few years even this was taken away, and Puland blotted from the list of nations. Q. What was the next important revolution ? A. The British colonies in Nortli America threw ofi* their allegiance to the mollier country, and de- clared themselves free and independent states. Q. What was the cause of this revolution ? A. The Biitish p:\rliamentat that time claimed a right to levy taxes on the colonies w^ithout the con- ^'di\{ of the colonial assemblies ; the Americans pro- tested against their heing taxed by a parliament in wliich they were not represented, and finding their protestations disregarded, had recourse to arms. Q. What were the morit remarkable events of this war ? A. In the first campaign, the English army, under general Burgoyne, was forced to surrender at Saratoga: this induced the French, still smarting under the losses of the " Seven Years' War," to embrace the American cause, and they sent out a 'large armv, which, united with that of the Anieri- «cans, established the independence of the new states. Q. By what event was the war biought to a -conclusion ? A. By the surrender of the Marquis Cornwallis with his armv, to the united American and French 'forces, commanded by General Washington and the Marquis De la Fayette. A. Vl> UNIVERSAL HISTORY. gj A Th.V'''v l''^ ''"."^'''3"ence of this event ? L''j| arting T," to CIIAPTEE XXr. THE REVOLUTIONS IN NATIONS AND EMPIRES. TPIE FIIENCII r.EVOLFTION. Q. What great revolution took nlicp m t;^ at the close of the last cemmy ? ^ "" ^"'^^^ A. The French revolminn • /:... +1 ever took place, and wW^kt te'S?, Y p^esentday. ^^ ^^^^ ^t the Q. What were the princinal nncA^ ^r ^u- event ? ^ ^"'t^ipai causes of this great acquired during the war in efcn'cet ft . r '' 'f '" of Amenca were probacy the priTcipa t ^f "' Q. \Vas the revolution attended vvi.h vilnce ? . A. Yes; the obstinacy of the nowU ? ..icitusiuii ui me court cquajlv Dmunl-,. i /u"'"." ^i.ya„aoomen,north(pirlr\ot,':t ^f ■>>f: 62 CATECHISM Of mol) ofPariri stormed the Bastile, and a constitution, fi ti 1 1 11 ^^j" but name, was erilab- repubhcan in every lisbed. Q. How were these proceedings viewed by the other European states ? A. With the greatest jealousy. Austria, Prussia, and several other states, eonil/med to restore the absolute ])0vver of tlie riionareh ; but a sanguinary proclannation, issued by the Duke of Brunswick, provoked the hostility of the French people to such a height, that they put their unfortunate sovereign to death. Q. Did the English join in this w^ar *? A. Yes; the French republicans having pul)- lished a declaration of their readiness to assist any people that desired a change in its form of govern- ment, the diiferent monarclis of Europe looked on this as an act of hostility, and combined against the new republic. The English joined in the league, and by their naval superiority destroyed the foreign commerce of France. Q. How did the Revolution proceed in France "? A. The different parties engaged in it were ani- mated with the most ferocious liostility towards each other. Tiie government committed every imagina- ble atrocity. Religion was abolished ; its emblems and its ornaments profaned. The rich, the nobles, the men of merit were exterminated ; virtuous and moderate persons condemned to perish on the scaf- fold. In short, all France presented but one un- varying scene of prisons and executioners. Q, Did any civil war break out ? A Vr»« ! ibp rovnVmis: fnnlc iin arms in La Ven- .ij . - - , -^j --. _— -j^- -I ' . Mey but not, being suppoited in time by ibreign aidj accour were o directe( Q. 1 Egvpt 1 A. I the coui destrovc ■i^ile, lie ^hsh ari] the lliey UxVTVERSAL HISTORY, were quelled aft «acre(l without sisted (he friejc er a gallant struggle, and ., y- J^orrie towns which had inhabit convention, were a] 63 mas- re- ons, su ^ifits, but m o subdued, and the Q. H yV'-^, uui uiore esj)ecially the neo oIp rr ^^jected to the moit UnA^: J^""^'^^ ^^^^J" ovv was the foi the 1 * AT t ^; ^^<>thwithBl8ndin'n} emo«t horrible per.^'eculion« eign war conducted ? i'encM were victor gtiieir internal deissensioi ■'ous over the allied i\ in 3 Ven- Egyp-, 7''"'-"-- ha^i 'l.e French expedition ,o •lestroycl b - Ad ., Te*; ' "^''^^ 'T'''^^'^^" '»««"y TV7!i. r . -^ ^*^niuai i\eison nt t h-^ ivv.---h r >, ^yh iie tiiought lit to rotn^n r. r "' ''^ ^^'« Oft/ • ^ It 6^ CATECHISM OP defeated the Freneli at the battle of Alexandria and forced them to surrender. Q. How was this vvar terminated ? A. By the peace of Amiens, which vvap, after all but a temporary suspension of arms. Q. What effect did the French Revolution pro- duce on the condition of the European states? A. The change which it introduced into the con- stiiiiiion anil tactics of the French armies, made them for some time superior to those of any other European nation ; the principle^-: of freedom, which in the early part of the revolution were bcgiiming to spread over the continent, were checked and destroyed by the disgust which the horrors and cruelties of the repub- licans had inspired ; but still there was a desire of change which showed that some great alterations were at hand • CHAPTER XXIT. THE REVOLUTIONS IN NxVTIONS AND EMPIRES. THE AMEITIOUS CAREER OF NAPOLEON. Q. What caused a breach of the peace of Ami- ens? A. The mutual jealousy of the French and British governments. The war nominally commenced about the possession of the island ofMalta, but was realiy caused by the desire of Buonaparte to overthrow- the commercial supremacy of England, and the anxiety of (he British to prevent the further extensi'in of ihe French povvep. tJXJV Q. Bid EflSAL HISTORY. gove^elSn!.:^?''''^'''"*^'^ «''•'- time ^- Oa the 3rd 63 in tlia iiad h hlood. lee ''I e.:in/j: oflt Fr ^^ any ibrmidable coaiitioi. loomed against Vance ? 'T' w';*,"''"""" -■'i^S '°™'"'"" "■ -'-" vi..u.„ ; :;;,yi5 -ep, peace o„ tenn. i^^peto the French emne,or '°"'""^"' °'" ^.Q.D,d the French meet with no defeat at this nr.^'P'?"' ^'^'^^' comljined with ihnf of Q • entirely defeated by admiril IVT "'Spain, was and tile English Iri n ^ f i '"" "^'"' ^''a'algar, •l>ehl the doiPi on t Z ''T'""^^' °^*''« ^'ar fion. ''' *''° ^'^'^ ^^'tl-oirt any inteirup- Q' What new enpmvir^r^^r. i ar.-ti.concj„e;of2lTiSi:f'"^'*^^--f' *«- b;t:ie\Sr^;;j'-; *'-.^ "-^^ --erthrown at feafi^a had ceased to ivlirn .>.„i "- '-ou.-v, oi uru- '•"g aniiy into Po t mn' ^ } '''"' '*" "^einvhelm- .V icmitiga,. Jn congequenccvtlie IV- a / 66 CATECHISM OF tugueso royal Himily embarked on board tbe English fleet, and sailed to Brazil, in south Amerlea. Q. Did Napoleon rest satisfied with these ac- quisitions ? A* No ; he was resolved to mal^e himselfsupremc monarch of Europe, and in pursuance of this design, he compelled the royal family of Spain to abdicate the crown of that kingdom, which he conferred on his brother, jGsei)h Buonaparte. Q. What was the consequence of this usurpa- tion ? A. A general insurrection took place throughout Spain J and the French, (liough every where victori- ous in the field, were exposed to murderous attacks from armed bands of peasantry, who slaughtered all their detached parties. Q. Did England take any share ir» this contest ] A, Yes ; and the army sent out under Sir Ardmr Weilesley, after having eiTected the liberation of Portugal, finally succeeded in driving the French from the Peninsula. But this w^as not effected until after four years of hard fighting. Q. Did Austria make any new effort against the French emperor 1 A. The Austrians took advantage of the removal of the French troops from Germany to Spain to re- new the war ; but they were again crushed in a single campaign, and but for certain personal rea- sons, that ancient empire would have been blotted from the list of nations. Q. What were these reasons ? A. Buonaparte wished to marry the archduchess Maria Louisa, after divorcing his wife Josephine, and he did so in the fallowing; vcar* il Q. DiJ ^^'lyr.RSAL HISTORY. "y remnrknhi 'VT'^^^thononhnfE. rev A. G nope ? 07 ^>I"tion (ako p}ace at ''^|avuMdngorS.vc.len,h «^^J''^'n/it to govern w,.7i,"' '^^'^S^^^evvn Mm- •^"ncle chose vomn] \)y i si^hject.-" "con.e,.;;-:^--l"|-P'-e: S..;.1,V '::!!."C^-'!-> n.rf;;:,:;, <5 bra red 1 1 • - .^/v den death of tl kinirtl re.'ich M Bernadott ^^•n, which h general, was elected t^'^iow actually le crown 'i a cei- iiei? of that ...... ..^,Mnv actua 7 posses.^p^ m« Alter tiie cnmniof. i- ' ' '^^^--es. «.-;a. .;,.,, /a j.::^i;i:;;;:::,;^^^ •-mperor AlexanJer for Invi ,'. . ' f '"^ '"'"■■^'^ '^'^ -''lict.. For (hi, n„ , 1 , '"! '•'^'•'7 'r''''^t« ''is a,-.e.t annies eve/e 4 -rp " "'^ ''"'' '"■ "'« <» »f^""t i peasantry wool, not h,.'"'=''''' terminalo.l ; vading armil., an ,1 feP'-'"'-'''".^ to the in-' Ponvovs, and cut olf Ml . 1 ""e'-ccpted the c.Vcun,stances the F en i ^"'r ,f^"der these most disastrous retreat '^'^ *" "'«ke a t-ati' S,5:r" ^-ysuirermuch in their re. ca.ti,Tetra":r™,-J/;7-pose,, to e,„a, ^-n to death b.thous..i;x\^:tt;::^! linger a vors at tl'e same ,ime exp;;iTo th:' fati ua, and murderous attacks A'- i^. 68 CATECHISM OF oftlic Cossacks, who scarcely gave them a ino- iiienl\s respite. Sr-arcel}- a tenth ofthe iiiighty hu«t that invaded Russia escaped ar,ro5;s the iVontiers. Q. What was the corisiMMienco of this event ? A. In the lullowing year tne continental nations resolved to tree theni^seives iVom the servitntlc in which they had been kept by the French, and alter the battle ofLeip-ic, Buonaparte was foiccd to make a retreat through Germany, nearly as disas- trous as that ofthe preceding campaign. Q. What followed ? A. In the middle of January 1814, the allies en- tf^rcd France on the northern frontier, while the Englishj under the duke of Wellington, were already established in the soutliern provinces. After a series of operations, in which Napoleon exhibited all his usual abilities, the allies at length became masters of Paris, the emperor abdicated tlie crown, and the Bourbons, after a long and tedious exile, were restored to the throne of their ancestors. Q. What became of Buonaparte ? A. He was given the island of Elba, with the title of Em[)eror, and penr>ions were settled on him and the members of his family. Q. .Did this peace long i-ontinue ? A. No ; Buonaparte returned from Elba, the army every where declared in his favour, and he became again master of France in a few weeks, without firing a shot. Q. How did the other states of Europe act on this occasion 1 A. They unanimously declared war against Napo- leon as an usurper, and at the decisive battle of Waterloo lie was com[)letely overthrown, and France again subjected to tlie sway ofthe Bourbons* 11 Til Eurc A, unite* ^orme whicf Prnssi princij Wirtei the gr, Austrn Q. J in Sout A. 1 allegian iri depen tt'gal, ar son of n Js em per Europe? VmVEnSAL HISTORY. on CHAPTER XXm '^''"^S AND EMPlRpt; Q. What nollfirrj « '•^edinto the KingS''^:'' ^j'-^'^/'f <'ers 'we « yvh.ch the prince of Or L 7 " ^'^"'ei'ands, of Pn,.ss;a was enlarged at ,f!.'''=^'"^ "'« ^ovei-eign Pr-ncipalifies of Ha,l in c''''"''"''^ ^nxony ,Mhe ^i.''e...„rgh uj'':::^'^,^-^, Bav,.ni .'mf ^-e greate, part of no,tffern ,!, '"'^''"'"« i ""I Aiistrrari dominions. ''''•>' """ed to the i" South ASa'T'"'"' ^''^■"'"'-^ taken pla.e all4 Jc"t?t/?Vo£' C '"? "'^"^^ ''«• "-> '"dependent states. ZlnZ^' ""'^ ■'"■'' '""'^ ««'gal, and now forms a ne t ^'■"''"•''' '"'•'"" P"r- «onofDo„ Pedro, a prince of ,^1^"' "'■^^'''°'' "'« 's emperor. ^ °' ""^ ''0"=e ofB,a-a '^- nave anj- now litt^^ i 'n.pe? ^ ^^^ states been lately Tom., j j^ Eu il s?' 70 CATECHISM OF A. Yes; the (irecks in 1821 llircvv ofTihe vol e an nc.kfiowiedireil Euiopeari of Tiirkcv ]>eoplL\ Uiho, a sun ortlic Kiiii: ufJ of Crceco. >avariu, is J\in'( land Q.^ Did any rcmnrkablo event tako place in Eng- in the year lS:i{)? onir A. His IMajciiiy Ceoryo IV. died, after a I and ])ainful illno'g, and was siicccedi-d by 1..., ])r()th(M-,tlie Duke of Clarence, by the title of Wil- liam the Foinlh. Q. Was not France the theatre of a sudden and extraordinary revolution ? A, Yes ; Charles X., by the advice of bis niinis- ievs, publi.shcd three ordinances on the 25ib of July, 1830, by which the charier granted to the French people was virtually annulled. Q. What was the consecjuence ? A. The i^cople of Parks look up arms, and after a severe contest of three days, drove their monarch and his followers from Paris. In the meantime, the members of the Chamher of Deputies assembled «ind appointed a provisional government. Q. To whom was tl)e chief power entrusted ? A. To the Duke of Orleans, a remote branch of the royal family ; he was first appointed Lieutenant General, and immediately after King, by a great majority of the chambers both of deputies and peers. Q. Wliat title has he taken ? A. That of Philippe I., King of the French. Q. Is he the first French king of the name of Philippe ? A. No, he is the seventh of the name, but as he was chosen by the people out of the regular order of «nccession,heisnrHned Philippe the First, and styled Jung of ike French^ instead oUiiinr of France. tjoi ofj the lion He Q A nolle Q. natioj A. yoynh Was \\ Q. ihe coi A. s^^'parat Killjr o Q. \ P'cice di A. 7 apt cofn i%htof ^ ^^ Com 11 <^"s class ^^lat privj Q. F. ^^^'IVEIISAL mSTOR- "'•'J'kaM,^ ? "■ ^vhat in tl JfS iho A. F nio/j ^'' the inn,[ ''^^v'olulion piincipnl/y 71 ro- rc. '^'^^^^ of liigl ?7^'^>» FLeu-n hy tfu •P^'t-t shovvn to . Q. Did "*'^' ''''ovvn ? ^^^«1 ^:^^'eitenlcll'f Pt'^>/>le in k 1 V' ■ ■ ^^^'ii'lc^ X. inai, ^ ^'id lor tl ^' AiiUc /I '^■^* «")' c/ro, t to tjon, I JO ordered tl ';i!,'-':.'"""^"''^">en( of ,1 10 I'rescivo - tBi:;SS;-f--i;:t ^;t.'^^'''''f 9-, ^^'int cliaii.^o l,',v " lf"■''^"'<'"^'• -lu..K^|,^, "'-''"^e ">•, tl.ey have . llS',l° ""2' "'° <^"'Wer, „f , ^i' Wliyt is the jiin.f ; iss ofii ^hai pw:^C'^^ People than had ^i^ a much nioi piVViOUtf] 'G nunier- y e/jjoyed / ii 72 CATECHISM OF UIS'IVERSAL HISTORY, Q. Are you acquainted with any other impoilant event th'^t occurred during the ?ame reign. A. Yes 5 Parliament in the year 1834' gave liberty to all ihe slaves in the West India Islaniis, paying a sum of i-*20,000,000 sterling by way of indemnitv to their former masters. Q. When did Her Majesty Queen Victoria ascend the throne, and what are the principal incidents in her personal history ? A. Her Majesty ascended the throne on the 20ih of June, 1837, on the death of her uncle, K:ng William the Fourth. On the lOlh of February, 1840, her Majesty was married to his Royal High- ness Prince Albert. On the 21st of November, of the same year the Princess Royal was born, and on (he 9th of November, 1841, the Prince ol' Wales was born. IRE ehb