True Stories from History and Biography

Preface
THE WHOLE HISTORY OF GRANDFATHER’S CHAIR
Part I
Chapter I
Chapter II
THE LADY ARBELLA
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
THE PINE-TREE SHILLINGS
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
THE INDIAN BIBLE
Chapter IX
Chapter X
THE SUNKEN TREASURE
Chapter XI
Part II
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
THE OLD-FASHIONED SCHOOL
Chapter IV
Chapter VI
THE REJECTED BLESSING
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
THE PROVINCIAL MUSTER
Chapter IX
THE ACADIAN EXILES
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Part III
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
THE HUTCHINSON MOB
Chapter IV
Chapter V
THE BOSTON MASSACRE
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
THE TORY’S FAREWELL
Chapter X
Chapter XI
GRANDFATHER’S DREAM
Biographical Stories
Chapter I
Chapter II
BENJAMIN WEST
Chapter III
SIR ISAAC NEWTON
Chapter IV
SAMUEL JOHNSON
Chapter V
SAMUEL JOHNSON—CONTINUED.
Chapter VI
OLIVER CROMWELL
Chapter VII
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Chapter VIII
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN—CONTINUED
Chapter IX
QUEEN CHRISTINA





PREFACE


In writing this ponderous tome, the author’s desire has been to describe
the eminent characters and remarkable events of our annals, in such a form
and style, that the YOUNG might make acquaintance with them of their own
accord. For this purpose, while ostensibly relating the adventures of a
Chair, he has endeavored to keep a distinct and unbroken thread of
authentic history. The Chair is made to pass from one to another of those
personages, of whom he thought it most desirable for the young reader to
have vivid and familiar ideas, and whose lives and actions would best
enable him to give picturesque sketches of the times. On its sturdy oaken
legs, it trudges diligently from one scene to another, and seems always to
thrust itself in the way, with most benign complacency, whenever a
historical personage happens to be looking round for a seat.

There is certainly no method, by which the shadowy outlines of departed
men and women can he made to assume the hues of life more effectually,
than by connecting their images with the substantial and homely reality of
a fireside chair. It causes us to feel at once, that these characters of
history had a private and familiar existence, and were not wholly
contained within that cold array of outward action, which we are compelled
to receive as the adequate representation of their lives. If this
impression can be given, much is accomplished.

Setting aside Grandfather and his auditors, and excepting the adventures
of the Chair, which form the machinery of the work, nothing in the ensuing
pages can be termed fictitious. The author, it is true, has sometimes
assumed the license of filling up the outline of history with details, for
which he has none but imaginative authority, but which, he hopes, do not
violate nor give a false coloring to the truth. He believes that, in this
respect, his narrative will not be found to convey ideas and impressions,
of which the reader may hereafter find it necessary to purge his mind.

The author’s great doubt is, whether he has succeeded in writing a book
which will be readable by the class for whom he intends it. To make a
lively and entertaining narrative for children, with such unmalleable
material as is presented by the sombre, stern, and rigid characteristics
of the Puritans and their descendants, is quite as difficult an attempt,
as to manufacture delicate playthings out of the granite rocks on which
New England is founded.






THE WHOLE HISTORY OF GRANDFATHER’S CHAIR


COMPLETE IN THREE PARTS.





PART I




Chapter I


Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant
afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off
or near at hand. Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;"
but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the
young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.

He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of
decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and
was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.