CONTENTS.

[CHAPTER I.]

The Aryan Family of Nations—Keltic Race—Ancient Gaul—Gauls in Rome—Gauls in Greece and in Asia Minor

[CHAPTER III.]

Birth of Christianity—Its Dissemination—Persecution at Lyons by order of Marcus Aurelius—The Roman Empire Espouses Christianity under Constantine

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.]

Napoleon Bonaparte—Toulon—Campaign in Italy—Empire Established—Europe Under the Feet of the Great Corsican—Marie Louise—Waterloo—Louis XVIII.—Charles X.—Louis Philippe—Second Republic—Louis Napoleon President—Second Empire—Napoleon III.—Franco-Prussian War—Sedan—Third Republic—Review of Present Conditions