A Book for Boys. SELECTED AND EDITED BY MRS. VALENTINE, 99 66 AUTHOR OF LAND BATTLES," SEA FIGHTS," ETC. FREDERICK WARNE AND CO. BEDFORD STREET, COVENT GARDEN. NEW YORK: SCRIBNER, WELFORD AND CO. PREFACE. IN compiling this record of heroic and adventurous deeds, the Editor has endeavoured to avoid as much as possible those which are best known, and which have been most often told. At the same time, when the genius of the modern historian has given a fresh life to world-renowned scenes, she has not hesitated to give her young readers the pleasure of seeing them thus described. From the old Naval Chronicles of the early part of the century, and from some books which are not quite as popular as they deserve to be, a few little-known anecdotes (but worthy of all fame) have been disinterred. The record ranges from the fourteenth century to the present day; beginning with some extracts from a valuable book which ought to be a great favourite with boys, the Historical Parallels, and continuing, chiefly, in the words of the actors in the adventures themselves; who are frequently first-rate writers as well as brave and adventurous men. |