Produced by Al Haines THE EVOLUTION OF AN EMPIRE A BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FRANCE BY MARY PARMELE _Author of "Evolution of Empire Series, Germany;" "Who? When? What? Literature Chart."_ NEW YORK WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON, 59 FIFTH AVENUE 1894 PUBLISHED AND COPYRIGHTED, 1894, BY WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON, 59 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK CITY. ELECTROTYPED AND PRINTED BY THE PUBLISHERS' PRINTING COMPANY 182-186 WEST 14TH STREET NEW YORK PREFACE. In an attempt to tell the story of a great nation in about 100 pages, it is needless to say there must be a rigid exclusion of all save essential facts. To those already familiar with the subject, this sketch is offered merely as a reminder of the sequence of conditions and events in the evolution of France; while to the student it is presented as a framework upon which may be placed, in orderly and comprehensible fashion, the results of future reading and research. To the latter class I would suggest that a series of papers, written upon the most prominent themes found in the Table of Contents, will bear fruit in knowledge more real and vital than may be obtained from the writings of others, however eloquent and vivid the presentation. M. P. NEW YORK, July 23d, 1894. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. The Aryan Family of Nations--Keltic Race--Ancient Gaul--Gauls in Rome--Gauls in Greece and in Asia Minor CHAPTER II. Roman Conquest of Gaul--Julius Caesar CHAPTER III. Birth of Christianity--Its Dissemination--Persecution at Lyons by order of Marcus Aurelius--The Roman Empire Espouses Christianity under Constantine CHAPTER IV. Gaul Overrun and Subjugated by Franks--Clovis King--Decay of the Merovingian Line--_Maire du Palais_ King _de facto_--Charles Martel--Birth of Mohammedanism--Its Triumphs--Christendom Threatened--Pepin King--Charlemagne--Alliance with Pope--France, Italy, and Germany Emerge as Separate Nationalities CHAPTER V. The Northmen--Beginnings of Feudalism in France--Normandy Bestowed upon the Northmen--Conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy--Albigenses--Inquisition at Toulouse--The Crusades CHAPTER VI. Decline of Feudalism--Creation of the Commune--Charles VII.--Henry V. in France--Joan of Arc CHAPTER VII. Francis I.--Huguenots--Catharine de Medici--Francis II. CHAPTER VIII. Massacre of St. Bartholomew--Henry III.--Henry IV. CHAPTER IX. Edict of Nantes--Louis XIII.--Richelieu CHAPTER X. Louis XIV.--Revocation of the Edict of Nantes--Louis XV.--Age of Voltaire and Rousseau--The Gathering Storm CHAPTER XI. Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette--American Colonies Arrayed Against England--French Aid to America--Smouldering Fires of Discontent--Louis Convokes States-General--National Assembly Created by Commons--Bastille Attacked--Revolution--Execution of King CHAPTER XII.