Preface [7-8]
[7] The revived interest in historical stories is a happy sign of the times. It shows that, in the words of Gerald Massey, – “Old England still throbs with the muffled fire / Of a past she can never forget, –” and it is a good guarantee that “She will again banner the world up higher, / For there’s life in the old land yet!” England owes much to Mr. G. A. Henty and other writers of historical stories for keeping alive in the hearts of the younger generations the best traditions of the past. Happily heroism is not limited by age or sex. There are boys equal to any measure of devotion shown by men, within, of course, the lesser limits [8] of their physical endurance; and there are girls capable of equal courage and self-sacrifice with the noblest heroines of the past. These true stories of heroic women who have enlightened history may stimulate all that is chivalrous and noble in the daughters of to-day is the hope of those who are responsible for this issue of this work.
Contents
For God and the King. The Story of Joan of Arc. By Sir Edward Creasy, M.A. 11For England, Home, and Beauty. A Story of Saxon England 38
A Noble Wife. The Story of Lady Fanshawe as told by Herself 68
Wit Wins. The Story of the Maid of Innerkepple a border romance 102
A King’s Guard. The Story of Jane Lane 136
For God and for the Right. The Story of Lord and Lady William Russell 155
A Devoted Daughter. The Story of Lady Grisell Baillie 168
“Love Laughs at Locksmiths.” The Story of the Countess of Nithsdale from her own Pen 188
For Bonny Prince Charlie. The Story of Flora Maconald 205
How the Welsh Girls Beat the French. The Story of the Invasion of Fishguard 243
A Loyal Friend. The Story of Lady Elizabeth Erskine and the Heart of Montrose 273
For Home and Country. The Story of the Maid of Saragossa 289