A textbook is a fitting place in which to remember one's own teachers. Of previous historical manuals I have been most influenced by the brief but admirable History of Western Europe of my former teacher, James Harvey Robinson,—a work which I have used for many years as a textbook. Before entering Professor Robinson's well-known course in the intellectual history of Europe, my interest in the history of literature and philosophy had been already aroused by C. T. Winchester and A. C. Armstrong. The parts of this volume dealing with the history of law owe much to the lectures of Munroe Smith. Some of the historical exercises were, in their inception at least, due to Henry E. Bourne, with whom I have worked in teaching the Freshman history course at the College for Women of Western Reserve University. Other colleagues, Professors H. N. Fowler, S. B. Platner, and J. L. Borgerhoff, have been so good as to read and criticize certain chapters falling within their respective special fields, and Miss Eleanor Ferris has very kindly read galley proof for the entire text. Professor J. T. Shotwell, under whose editorship the book is so fortunate as to appear and whom I also am happy to count as a former teacher, has read the text in manuscript, made a number of helpful suggestions, and in other ways aided me by his cooperation and encouragement. These scholars, however, should not be held responsible for any of the faults of the book, especially since in a few cases I have been so foolish as not to follow their advice. But I shall be fortunate, indeed, if others accord me as sympathetic a reading as theirs.
Lynn Thorndike.
August 14, 1917
