CONDUCT OF THE MINORITY.

229

my mind, it must have a certain and decided influence in and upon this kingdom. This is my account of my conduct to my private friends. I have already said all I wish to say, or nearly so, to the publick. I write this with pain, and with a heart full of grief.

PREFACE

PREFACE

TO

THE ADDRESS OF M. BRISSOT

TO HIS

CONSTITUENTS.

TRANSLATED FT

THE LATE WILLIAM BURKE, ESQ.

PREFACE,

&c. &c.

HE French revolution has been the subject

THE

of various speculations, and various histories. As might be expected, the royalists and the republicans have differed a good deal in their accounts of the principles of that revolution, of the springs which have set it in motion, and of the true character of those who have been, or still are, the principal actors on that astonishing scene.

They who are inclined to think favourably of that event, will undoubtedly object to every state of facts which comes only from the authority of a royalist. Thus much must be allowed by those who are the most firmly attached to the cause of religion, law, and order (for of such, and not of friends to despotism, the royal party is composed), that their very affection to this generous and manly cause, and their abhorrence of a revolution, not less fatal to liberty than to government, may pos sibly lead them in some particulars to a more harsh representation of the proceedings of their adversaries, than would be allowed by the cold neutrality of an impartial judge. This sort of errour arises from a source highly laudable; but the exactness

of