PREFACE.

I HAVE been led to compile this short history of the Pilgrim Fathers by a strong desire to popularize amongst Englishmen the words and deeds of those illustrious plebeian countrymen of ours, which, although strange to most of us, are yet familiar to every schoolboy in America, and moreover form the brightest page in the brilliant annals of our imperial race.

My primary authorities are Mr. Bancroft's "History of the United States," Mr. Bacon's "Genesis of the New England Churches,” and Dr. Robertson's "Colonization of America." The numerous quotations I have given are the touching words of the Pilgrims themselves, who have left the minutest records of their glorious enterprise, but they reach me mainly through the channels of Bacon and Bancroft.

I may say in reference to my original brochure on this subject that I have been honoured by more or less flattering communications from forty of our public men, including some of the most distinguished leaders, belonging to both political parties in the state. One other letter-which is, perhaps, the most laudatory-I have also received from the greatest living poet and man of letters of America. And I am at liberty to publish eight of those communications in application to the present work.