CHAPTER II.
THE PEASANT BODO LIFE ON A COUNTRY ESTATE IN THE TIME OF CHARLEMAGNE Three slender things that best support the world: the slender stream of milk from the cow's dug into the pail; the slender blade of green corn upon the ground; the slender thread over the hand of a skilled woman.
Three sounds of increase: the lowing of a cow in milk; the din of a smithy; the swish of a plough.
-- From _The Triads of Ireland_ (9th century) Economic history, as we know it, is the newest of all the branches of history.

Up to the middle of the last century the chief interest of the historian and of the public alike lay in political and constitutional history, in political events, wars, dynasties, and in political institutions and their development.

Substantially, therefore, history concerned itself with the ruling classes.

'Let us now praise famous men,' was the historian's motto.

He forgot to add 'and our fathers that begat us'.