Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
AN
HISTORICAL AND MORAL VIEW
OF THE
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS
OF THE
FRENCH REVOLUTION;
AND THE
EFFECT IT HAS PRODUCED
IN
EUROPE.
ADVERTISEMENT.
This history, taking in such a variety offacts and opinions, has grown under myhand; especially as in writing I cannot avoidentering into some desultory disquisitions,and descriptions of manners and things which,though not strictly necessary to elucidate theevents, are intimately connected with themain object; I have also been led into severaltheoretical investigations, whilst markingthe political effects that naturally flow fromthe progress of knowledge. It is probable,therefore, that this work will be extended totwo or three more volumes, a considerablepart of which is already written.
PREFACE.
The revolution in France exhibits a scene,in the political world, not less novel and interestingthan the contrast is striking betweenthe narrow opinions of superstition, and theenlightened sentiments of masculine and improvedphilosophy.
To mark the prominent features of thisrevolution, requires a mind, not only unsophisticatedby old prejudices, and the inveteratehabits of degeneracy; but an ameliorationof temper, produced by the exercise ofthe most enlarged principles of humanity.
The rapid changes, the violent, the base,and nefarious assassinations, which haveclouded the vivid prospect that began tovispread a ray of joy and gladness over thegloomy horizon of oppression, cannot fail tochill the sympathizing bosom, and palsy intellectualvigour. To sketch these vicissitudesis a task so arduous and melancholy, that, witha heart trembling to the touches of nature, itbecomes necessary to guard against the erroneousinferences of sensibility; and reasonbeaming on the grand theatre of politicalchanges, can prove the only sure guide to directus to a favourable or just conclusion.
This important conclusion, involving thehappiness and exaltation of the human character,demands serious and mature consideration;as it must ultimately sink thedignity of society into contempt, and its membersinto greater wretchedness; or elevateit to a degree of grandeur not hitherto anticipated,but by the most enlightened statesmenand philosophers.
Contemplating then these stupendous eventswith the cool eye of observation, the judgement,viidifficult to be preserved unwarpedunder the pressure of the calamitous horroursproduced b