APPENDIX-Containing extracts from M. Cha- 271 DEDICATION TO B. G. KING, ESQ. MY DEAR KING, We have so few opportunities afforded us of testifying esteem, that I feel inexpressible gratification in thus being able to present you with this very unworthy token of the sentiments with which a long acquaintance has inspired me. Nor is this all-the present dedication is not only an ordinary tribute paid to friendship— it is a tribute paid to a friend whom I esteem as much for his public principle as his private worth. And, indeed, it is no small consolation, in thus entering upon a new career, to feel that whatever fate as an authorbe may my there must still remain to me the pleasure and the honour with which I shall ever look back to the temporary connexion of my name with yours. This is not said, my dear King, in the formal and customary spirit of dedicatory addresses, but with the deepest and sincerest sentiments of regard and affection. Yours most truly, HENRY LYTTON BULWER. Hill Street, September 3, 1834. INTRODUCTION. Ir is now very nearly four years ago,―at that memorable time when the great Bourbon dynasty went once more into exile-that I first contemplated a work on France. Not altogether a work, such as many which have appeared, skimming lightly over the surface of things, and pretending merely to be the result of a six weeks' residence at Paris-but a work which in describing the present, would connect it with the past-which in speaking of what is daily and accidental, would separate it from what ages have sanctioned, and distant ages are likely to see;-a work which in showing the effect which time, and laws, and accident produce upon the character of a people, would also show the manner in which the character of a people traverses time, enters into laws, dominates over accident. I thought such a work might be useful, in England: because it might at once teach us where we could or could not imitate our neighbours; and at the same time convince us that a wise imitation does not consist in copying the laws, or the customs of another nation, but in adapting those laws and customs that we wish to imitate, to our own dispositions. I I thought such a work might be useful ; thought too such a work might be interesting ; and that in order to make it useful and interesting, it would be necessary to make it amusing. The English writer of the present century is placed in many respects in the same situation as the French writer of the last. I do not say that he has the same instruction to give, but he has in the same manner to render instruction popular: and this I trust will be my excuse for having sometimes adopted a lighter tone, and introduced lighter matter into the following volumes than the gravity and importance of their subject might seem to require. Thus it is some time since I first conceived the project of this work—but I had not long proceeded to collect materials for my undertaking before I abandoned the pursuit. Carried along in the active rush of passing events-called upon to consider, and to take a humble part in, advancing a great revolution, far greater than many of its originators supposed-a revolution therefore before which it was wise to pause ere you began it— as it is wise to complete it now that it is commenced-a member of two reforming parliaments, and one reformed parliament-obliged to give eight or nine hours at the very least to daily at |