Scandinavia prior to the tenth century is the region of romance, -of the wildest legends. These are admissible into the severe domain of history in so far only as they illustrate national opinions and manners, -the noblest part of the study. For this reason, chiefly, more have been retained in the present volume than are to be found in any preceding work on the subject. Indeed, were they rejected, nine tenths of northern history must be rejected with them. Another reason for dwelling on the earlier and more obscure events has been the wish to deviate as much as possible from a recent popular...

From the preface: "To that numerous, to that all indeed but universal, class of politicians, who at present praise every thing that is Polish, and decry every thing that is Muscovite, who with one voice predict the inevitable if not speedy triumph of the Poles, his wish to do justice to the Russians may be construed into approbation of their cause. He protests against such an interpretation of his feelings. If he has a prejudice for either party it is for the weaker. While he expresses his impression that, unless some extraordinary circumstance intervene, the Poles, almost superhuman as is...