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PREFACE.

MR. ROLLIN, in his preface to his "Ancient History," observes, "Wherever I found in other writers any thing suited to my purpose, in better words than my own, I did not scruple to appropriate them." I commence this little volume with a similar declaration. My object being to arrive at truth, rather than claim the praise of a wellwritten fiction, where I found others better informed than myself, I freely took advantage of their labours.

Spain is every day becoming an object of greater interest; and it was thought that a work, combining local and historical information, with illustrations of the various provincial costumes, and traits of national manners, would prove highly acceptable to the younger portion of the reading world.

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What the young mind would never have patience to seek out in larger works, is here presented in a clear, concise form. The details of the Inquisition, the bull-fights, the Spanish Protestants, the Arabians, and the life and disappointments of Columbus, will be found not only deeply interesting in themselves, but illustrative in the highest degree, of the weakness and the strength of Spain, and the peculiarity of its national feelings.

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