Photo W. Rice, F.R.P.S. Allen & Co (London) Ltd Sc

Westminster Abbey from Dean’s Yard.

Readers of this little volume must not expectto find in it a full description of the Abbeybuildings, or a complete list of all the tombs,monuments, and other beautiful and interestingthings in the Abbey Church. That is notthe aim of this book. Its chief object is topoint out to British children how they mayfollow the great outlines of their country’shistory in Westminster Abbey, from theearliest ages down to our own time,—fromthe days of the far-off, legendary KingLucius to those of King Edward VII.

The words, “citizen of no mean city,”ought surely to come into our minds as welook round the Abbey and see there, as weclearly can see, a kind of outward expressionof all that is best in our national character.The Abbey speaks to us of the deep religiousviiifeeling behind our shyness and reserve;of patriotism, and of self-sacrifice for ourcountry; of love and respect for every formof good and noble service; of the wisemoderation in our forms of government; ofour wide sympathy with men of every raceand creed.

It is thus that Westminster Abbey cantruly claim to be our great National Church.