TO THE MOST NOBLE

RICHARD MARQUESS WELLESLEY,

SUCCESSIVELY

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF INDIA,

BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN SPAIN,

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

AND

LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND,

THESE VOLUMES ARE INSCRIBED

AS A TRIBUTE

MOST JUSTLY DUE TO SO ILLUSTRIOUS A STATESMAN;

AND IN COMMEMORATION

OF THE RARE FELICITY OF ENGLAND,

SO RICH IN GENIUS AND CAPACITY FOR AFFAIRS,

THAT SHE CAN SPARE FROM HER SERVICE

SUCH MEN AS HIM.

PREFACE.

THE plan of the present publication is sufficiently obvious. The Introductions to the different Speeches are intended to elucidate the History of the Measures discussed, and of the Periods to which they relate. But the most satisfactory, indeed the only accurate, manner of giving the History of the Times, must always be to give an account of the Persons who bore the chief part in their transactions. This is more or less true of all annals; but it is peculiarly so of political annals. The course of state affairs, their posture at any given period, and the nature of the different measures propounded from time to time, can only be well understood, by giving an accurate representation of the characters of those who figured most remarkably upon the scene.

It is not, however, by those pieces of composition which abound in many histories, under the name of "Characters," that any thing like this knowledge can be conveyed. Without any regard to fine writing, measured and balanced periods, or neat and pointed antitheses, the personages must be described such as they really were, by a just mixture of general remarks, and reference to particular passages in their lives. In no other way can they be made known; in no other way, indeed, can the very first requisite of such sketches be attained, the exhibition of the peculiarities that marked the originals,—the preservation of the individuality of each.

The works of some of our most celebrated writers, both ancient and modern, deserve to be studied, with the view of avoiding as much as it is possible their manner of performing this most important of the Historian's duties. The main object in those compositions plainly is, to turn sentences, and not to paint characters. The same plan is pursued in all cases. Is an able ruler, and one of virtuous life, to be described? The author considers what qualities are wanting to constitute great capacity for affairs. So he hangs together the epithets of wise, and prudent, and vigorous, and pro