A Letter to a Foreign Nobleman, on the Present Situation of France; With Respect to the Other States of Europe (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1793 edition. Excerpt: ... A LETTER, &c. IT has long since been my intention, as it was my duty, to write to your Excellency: but some new uneasiness still arising, and affording no glimpse of hope, but what instantly vanished, I have hardly enjoyed a moment's peace of mind, to reduce to order my confused ideas. Shall I be more successful in my present endeavours f However faint that hope, one duty at least will be fulfilled; and your Excellency, I am per suaded, from the knowledge I have of the general sentiments of your mind, will pardon any incolierencies, into which, by the poignancy of my grief, I may be involuntarily hurried. In what an age, alas have we been fated to live? How often, whilst we looked with wonder on this awful period, so fruitful of events the most extraordinary and momentous, have we congratu SIR, latcd suture historians, whose talk it would bt to record them? We were then very far from imagining that its close would be marked by a catastrophe, which wwuld defy the pencil of Tacitus to paint in all its horrors. You must remember, Sir, how often, in our different conversations on the troubles of Geneva you have rallied me on the zeal with which I defended our magistrates, and on the sovereign contempt I expressed for those demagogues, who led the misguided citizens. It would be an insult to your understanding, to suppose you were serious. Your Excellency has too much discernment to admit the idea that a pure democracy could be calculated for any state, however narrow its extent; or could even subsist with efficacy. But this is a subject which it is dangerous to treat in a ludicrous manner. The generality of men are so ignorant, lo impelled by their passions, and particularly their self-love, to embrace with avidity any flattering paradox, ...