I am indeed persuaded that the well-grounded love of our own country is the best security for that enlightened philanthropy which is aimed at as the perfection of moral education. This is the feeling that has guided me in writing “LITTLE ARTHUR’S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.” If it should happily lay the foundation for patriotism in one single Englishman, my wishes will be answered, my best hopes fulfilled. M. C. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. The ancient Britons: their houses—clothes—and food Page 1 CHAPTER II. Religion of the ancient Britons—the Druids—the misletoe—the Druids’ songs 3 CHAPTER III. How the Romans came and conquered the Britons, and made them work 5 CHAPTER IV. How the Romans taught the Britons many things, and how some of them became Christians 8 CHAPTER V. How the Romans made a market in London, and used money, and built a wall; and how they improved Bath, and many other towns 10 CHAPTER VI. How the Romans left Britain; and how the Angles and Saxons came and conquered the country, and behaved cruelly to the people 12 CHAPTER VII. How there were seven chief kingdoms in England; how Augustine and his friends came from Rome and made the people Christians; and how some of the young men went to Rome to be taught 15 CHAPTER VIII. How the Angles and Saxons loved freedom, but made laws to punish those who did wrong 21 CHAPTER IX. How Egbert became the first king over all England; how the Danes did great mischief to the people; how Alfred, after much trouble, drove them away; and how he built ships and did many other good things 23 CHAPTER X. King Edward—King Athelstane; how he beat the Danes in battle, and took some prisoners; how he invited his prisoners to supper, and afterwards let them go free 31 CHAPTER XI. How King Edmund was killed by a robber; how Bishop Dunstan ill-used King Edwy; how Archbishop Odo murdered the Queen; what Dunstan did to please the people; how King Edgar caused the wolves to be destroyed; and how his son, King Edward, was murdered by Queen Elfrida 34 CHAPTER XII. Why King Ethelred was called the Unready; how the Danes drove away the English princes, and made Canute king; how Canute rebuked his courtiers, and improved the people; and how the Danes and Saxons made slaves of their prisoners and of the poor 38 CHAPTER XIII.