The landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower and the part their descendants took in the American Revolution has been justly celebrated in painting, poetry and history, while the Scotch-Irish, who were the primary and principal actors in the movement, have been scarcely noticed at all. It is time to write the history of the latter. To the late Hon. Ex-Chief Justice Scott, the writer is indebted for the suggestion of writing the history of the race, which has been approved by Ex-Vice President Stevenson and Dr. Thomas Wright, the founder of the Scotch-Irish Society, leaving the editors of the yearly volumes of the Society to compile a work on the local habitations and history of the race in America. The writer has gone on to trace the origin of the race in their island home as builders of the churches and schools of Christendom, the British and Colonial Empire, American independence and modern civilization. Around these the warp and woof of the story is woven.

The American Review of Reviews has well said, "The Scotch-Irish element never has had its full due at the hands of historians. Too much stress has been placed upon the influence of the New England element in the formation of our national character. In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, central and southern Ohio and Kentucky it is from the Scotch-Irish strain of blood that has come a very large proportion of the statesmen, jurists and successful men of affairs. The dominant traits of this virile stock are industry, thrift, strong religious convictions and serious views of life. It is a large-boned, muscular, long-lived race and it has kept up its fecundity to our own day, whereas the New England stock has become so barren that in its original home it hardly keeps its numbers good."

For the first time the history of the race has been presented in the following work, while many of the facts have been gathered from English, Scotch and American historians, the writer feels specially indebted to the late Count Montelembert, of France, in his "Monks of the West," and to Professors Harnach and Zimmer of Germany. The illustrations will help to elucidate the work, which have been obtained at large expense.