The translator does not enter the arena either in defence of M. Renan or of the French Government. In England his appointment would either never have been made, or never have been rescinded upon the mere pressure of any set of men of extreme opinions, whatever their rank or profession. As it is, the London Review is not far wrong in saying, “It is difficult to say how much harm may be done to the Imperial Government by too frequently yielding to the noisy protests of enemies who vent their spite by interrupting plays and lectures. Not to have appointed Professor Renan, would have been but a small matter. ‘Here is another instance,’ people would have said, ‘of an able man passed over on account of his political opinions.’ First, however, to appoint him, and then to suspend him in deference to the clamour of the Ultramontane faction, is to give the bitterest enemies of the present régime a most unnecessary triumph.”
The lecture is here presented to the reader as sent forth by the author in print, being simply a faithful translation of the French original. Truth has nothing to fear from error; constant friction does but improve its polish, even as it removes the rust from steel.
May, 1862.
