OUR SOLDIERS' LETTERS.

THE TWELFTH THOUSAND NOW READY!

Price ONE SHILLING, in Boards.

Or, Voices from the Ranks.

With an Illustration of the Charge of the Light Cavalry at Balaclava, and a Plan showing the Position of the Army.

"The greatest delight, of both officers and men, is to read aloud accounts of the battles in print."-Rev. S. G. Osborne.

"This book will surely find a universal publicity, and deserves it."-Nonconformist.

"In which the whole of the stirring scenes of the campaign are narrated by the actors themselves. There is a glossary of technical, military, naval, and engineering terms. We think well of it, so recommend it cordially to our readers."-Bell's Life.

"A pleasant volume of personal adventure, and historic interest."-Morning Post.

"Who will not possess such a prize at such a small price?"-Field. "As a history of the war, the book is highly interesting."-Dispatch.

"Is a very interesting compilation, which is sure to secure a large class of readers."-Sunday Times.

CHEAP EDITION OF BANCROFT'S AMERICA.

Price TWO SHILLINGS each, in boards, or 2s. 6d. cloth. THE HISTORY OF AMERICA.

By GEORGE BANCROFT.

Vol. 3.-Commences the American Revolution. Also ready, uniform in size and price, Vols. 1, 2, 4, & 5.

Bancroft's work, in America, has obtained a success only equalled by Macaulay's "England" here. Indeed, the two works are often compared, and will live as the standard histories of America and England.

The 10,000 subscribers to Vols. I. and II. of the above work are respectfully informed, that the continuation is now ready, and any of the volumes may be procured separately.

"Bancroft's 'Colonial History' has established for himself a title to a place among the great historical writers of the age." Prescott.

In Fcp. 8vo., Fancy Boards, price Eighteenpence. AMERICA AND THE AMERICANS.

By W. E. BAXTER, Esq.

"Gives a most lucid picture of the United States and the Great AngloSaxon Republic."

FANNY FERN'S NEW WORK,

Price ONE SHILLING in Boards.

RUTH HALL.

By FANNY FERN.

A Domestic Story of the Present Day..

"This work has already attained an immense popularity in America, and, from its being the first long story by Fanny Fern, has an additional interest. Many of the scenes are written with touching pathos, and the home truths spoken influence the heart. It relies wholly upon its own merits, and the utmost popularity that it can have will be well deserved. Fanny Fern promises to be as popular a writer in England as she already is in America."

NEW EDITION.

"Great Battles of the British Army." In One Volume, price 4s. 6d., cloth gilt, GREAT BATTLES OF THE BRITISH

ARMY.

TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED

THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN.

Illustrated by W. Harvey.

"At the present moment, when every one, from the highest to the lowest in the land, is intensely interested in all that relates to the army now engaged in the East, a work relating the struggles in which their fathers were engaged cannot but be eagerly read. This new edition is rendered still more attractive by an illustration and graphic account of those, 'THOUGH LAST, NOT LEAST, glorious struggles, the Battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann."

HISTORY

OF

THE UNITED STATES.

INTRODUCTION.

THE United States of America constitute an essential portion of a great political system, embracing all the civilized nations of the earth. At a period when the force of moral opinion is rapidly increasing, they have the precedence in the practice and the defence of the equal rights of man. The sovereignty of the people is here a conceded axiom, and the laws, established upon that basis, are cherished with faithful patriotism. While the nations of Europe aspire after change, our constitution engages the fond admiration of the people, by which it has been established. Prosperity follows the execution of even justice; invention is quickened by the freedom of competition; and labour rewarded with sure and unexampled returns. Domestic peace

is maintained without the aid of a military establishment; public sentiment permits the existence of but few standing troops, and those only along the seaboard and on the frontiers. A gallant navy protects our commerce, which spreads its banners on every sea, and extends its enterprise to every clime. Our diplomatic relations connect us on terms of equality and honest friendship with the chief powers of the world; while we avoid entangling participation mm. their intrigues, their passions, and their wars. Our national resources are developed by an earnest culture of the arts of peace. Every man may enjoy the fruits of his industry; every mind is free to publish its convictions. Our government, by its organization, is necessarily identified with the interests of the people, and relies exclusively on their attachment for its durability and support. Even the enemies of the state, if there are any among us, have liberty to express their opinions undisturbed; and are safely tolerated, where reason is left free to combat their errors. Nor is the constitution a dead letter, unalterably fixed; it has the capacity for improvement; adopting whatever changes time and the public will may require, and safe from decay, so long as that will