***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRUE STORIES FROM HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY***
 True Stories from History and Biography
by Nathaniel Hawthorne BOSTON:
 TICKNOR, REED, AND FIELDS.
 MDCCCLI.

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

 CAMBRIDGE:
 PRINTED BY BOLLES AND HOUGHTON.        

Frontispiece

            Preface

            THE WHOLE HISTORY OF GRANDFATHER'S CHAIR

            Part I

            Chapter I

            Chapter II

            THE LADY ARBELLA

            Chapter III

            Chapter IV

            Chapter V

            Chapter VI

            THE PINE-TREE SHILLINGS

            Chapter VII

            Chapter VIII

            THE INDIAN BIBLE

            Chapter IX

            Chapter X

            THE SUNKEN TREASURE

            Chapter XI

            Part II

            Chapter I

            Chapter II

            Chapter III

            THE OLD-FASHIONED SCHOOL

            Chapter IV

            Chapter VI

            THE REJECTED BLESSING

            Chapter VII

            Chapter VIII

            THE PROVINCIAL MUSTER

            Chapter IX

            THE ACADIAN EXILES

            Chapter X

            Chapter XI

            Part III

            Chapter I

            Chapter II

            Chapter III

            THE HUTCHINSON MOB

            Chapter IV

            Chapter V

            THE BOSTON MASSACRE

            Chapter VI

            Chapter VII

            Chapter VIII

            Chapter IX

            THE TORY'S FAREWELL

            Chapter X

            Chapter XI

            GRANDFATHER'S DREAM

            Biographical Stories

            Chapter I

            Chapter II

            BENJAMIN WEST

            Chapter III

            SIR ISAAC NEWTON

            Chapter IV

            SAMUEL JOHNSON

            Chapter V

            SAMUEL JOHNSON—continued.

            Chapter VI

            OLIVER CROMWELL

            Chapter VII

            BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

            Chapter VIII

            BENJAMIN FRANKLIN—continued

            Chapter IX

            QUEEN CHRISTINA

 Preface

            In writing this ponderous tome, the author's desire has been to describe the eminent characters and remarkable events of our annals, in such a form and style, that the YOUNG might make acquaintance with them of their own accord. For this purpose, while ostensibly relating the adventures of a Chair, he has endeavored to keep a distinct and unbroken thread of authentic history. The Chair is made to pass from one to another of those personages, of whom he thought it most desirable for the young reader to have vivid and familiar ideas, and whose lives and actions would best enable him to give picturesque sketches of the times. On its sturdy oaken legs, it trudges diligently from one scene to another, and seems always to thrust itself in the way, with most benign complacency, whenever a historical personage happens to be looking round for a seat.

            There is certainly no method, by which the shadowy outlines of departed men and women can he made to assume the hues of life more effectually, than by connecting their images with the substantial and homely reality of a fireside chair. It causes us to feel at once, that these characters of history had a private and familiar existence, and were not wholly contained within that cold array of outward action, which we are compelled to receive as the adequate representation of their lives. If this impression can be given, much is accomplished.

            Setting aside Grandfather and his auditors, and excepting the adventures of the Chair, which form the machinery of the work, nothing in the ensuing pages can be termed fictitious. The author, it is true, has sometimes assumed the license of filling up the outline of history with details, for which he has none but imaginative authority, but which, he hopes, do not violate nor give a false coloring to the truth. He believes that, in this respect, his narrative will not be found to convey ideas and impressions, of which the reader may hereafter find it necessary to purge his mind.

            The author's great doubt is, whether he has succeeded in writing a book which will be readable by the class for whom he intends it. To make a lively and entertaining narrative for children, with such unmalleable material as is presented by the sombre, stern, and rigid characteristics of the Puritans and their descendants, is quite as difficult an attempt, as to manufacture delicate playthings out of the granite rocks on which New England is founded.