This book is intended primarily as a text-book for pupils in the public schools. Believing that an elementary text-book on history need not touch upon every event of the period treated, the author has not hesitated to omit all reference to many topics that should be fully treated in a book for more advanced students. The aim has been to touch only upon those events which are of primary importance, and especially upon those which can be invested with some degree of interest. As far as possible the bio graphical method has been adopted events have been grouped about great men. At the same time it has been kept in mind that the purpose of this book is to co-ordinate in the minds of pupils the knowledge they have, rather than to furnish them with additional information. As the title indicates, special stress has been laid upon the building and the progress of the Empire. The illustrations have been chosen with the greatest care and with the object of assisting in the understanding of the text. The author wishes to thank the many friends to whom he is indebted for information and suggestions. He is under special obligations to the officials of the Parliamentary Library of Canada. Valuable books, pamphlets, and copies of original documents were freely placed at his disposal. I H. P.
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