SECTION XI. The services of Great Men to Mankind—Difficulties of progress among the Ancients—Assistance rendered by Great Men—Office of early Poets—Of Legislatures—Philosophers, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—Orators, Demosthenes and Cicero—Influence of Great conquerors on progress—Alexander the Great—Hannibal the unfortunate—Cæsar, the successful—Brutus, the Patriot—Augustus the Emperor—The elements of greatness in all men—Jesus Christ the Perfect Man. SECTION XII. The Christian Era—Chronological history of the Emperors—The triumph of Christianity and its corruption—The fall of the Empire. SECTION XIII. Rise of Modern Nations—Incursions of Barbarians—Their settlement in Gaul—Spain, Africa, Italy and Britain—Mahomet and the great success of his followers—Charlemagne and the Popes—Failure to found a Western Empire. SECTION XIV. The Feudal System—Results from the condition of the Empire and the character of the invaders—Rise and character of Chivalry—The Crusades. SECTION XV. The Liberties of the People—Influence of the Crusades—Revival of Commerce and Learning. SECTION XVI. The Situation on the Discovery of America. SECTION XVII. Conclusion—Summary of Progress—The work assigned to America. CHAPTER II. THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA 148 Geographical ignorance of the Ancients—Columbus and his Ideas—His difficulty in getting a hearing—Queen Isabella of Spain—Sets sail for the New World—Why he thought it Asia—Origin of the name America. CHAPTER III. HISTORY FROM 1492 TO 1763 151 Various Discoveries—Sir Humphrey Gilbert fails twice to establish a Colony—Sir Walter Raleigh—Settlements in Florida—Jamestown—Landing of the Puritans—Other Settlements—Liberal character of Colonial Governments—Colonies resist oppression—Indian Wars—French Wars—Training they give the Colonies—Capture of Louisburg—Braddock’s Defeat—Colonists as Soldiers. CHAPTER IV. HISTORY—ORIGIN OF THE REVOLUTION 162 British resolve to tax Colonies—Folly of that measure—Resistance in the Colonies—British repeal the tax, BUT CLAIM THE RIGHT—Indignation in the Colonies—Taxes again tried—Soldiers sent to Boston—“Boston Massacre”—Tax on Tea—Colonies Organize against it—“Boston Tea Party”—Philadelphia—Boston Port Bill—First Congress—“American Association”—Battle of Lexington—Second Congress—Siege of Boston—Bunker Hill—British driven out—Battles in Canada. CHAPTER V. FORMATION OF THE ORIGINAL UNION 173 History of the various stages of Union among the States—Adoption of the Articles of Confederation.