A complete history of the Belgian nation from its origins to its present situation has not yet been published in this country. Up till now Belgian history has only been treated as a side issue in works concerned with the Belgian art, Belgian literature or social conditions. Besides, there has been some doubt with regard to the date at which such a history ought to begin, and a good many writers have limited themselves to the modern history of Belgium because they did not see in olden times sufficient evidence of Belgian unity. According to the modern school of Belgian historians, however, this unity, founded on common traditions and common interests, has asserted itself again and again through the various periods of history in spite of invasion, foreign domination and the various trials experienced by the country. The history of the Belgian nation appears to the modern mind as a slow development of one nationality constituted by two races speaking two different languages but bound together by geographical, economic and cultural conditions. In view of the recent proof Belgium has given of her patriotism during the world-war, this impartial enquiry into her origins may prove interesting to British readers. Every opportunity has been taken to insist on the frequent relationships between the Belgian provinces and Great Britain from the early middle ages to the present time, and to show the way in which both countries were affected by them. Written by one of the most distinguished Belgian writers, who has made a specialty of his subject, this work will be one of the most brilliant and informing contributions in “The Story of the Nations.”
A COMPLETE LIST OF THE VOLUMES IN “THE STORY OF THE NATIONS” SERIES. THE FIRST AND MOST COMPLETE LIBRARY OF THE WORLD’S HISTORY PRESENTED IN A POPULAR FORM
1 Rome: From the Earliest Times to the End of the Republic. By Arthur Gilman, M.A. Third Edition. With 43 Illustrations and Maps.
2 The Jews: In Ancient, Mediæval and Modern Times. By Professor James K. Hosmer. Eighth Impression. With 37 Illustrations and Maps.
3 Germany. By S. Baring-Gould, M.A. Seventh Impression. With 108 Illustrations and Maps.
4 Carthage: or the Empire of Africa. By Professor Alfred J. Church, M.A. With the Collaboration of Arthur Gilman, M.A. Ninth Impression. With 43 Illustrations and Maps.
5 Alexander’s Empire. By John Pentland Mahaffy, D.D. With the Collaboration of Arthur Gilman, M.A. Eighth Impression. With 43 Illustrations and Maps.
6 The Moors in Spain. By Stanley Lane-Poole. With the Collaboration of Arthur Gilman, M.A. Eighth Edition. With 29 Illustrations and Maps.