remind the reader that French Monarchists always were, and still are, a set of "braves gens" and "gens braves," and no evil-hearted crowd or Soho scamps; in short, they are Christian Socialists, and Christian Nationalists.
Our seemingly hopeless task is much lighter since we do not write for the satisfying the coarse inquisitiveness of the "people;" nor are we writing for that "varia et mutabilis, rudis indigestaque moles," the "anima vilis" of modern polling-booths. Our efforts only court the attention of friends whose knowledge of the History, the manners and speech of our neighbours on the other side of the "silver streak " is not derived from their light literature and from what may be termed the "boulevard" journalism and feuilletonism.
By our experience of arduous routes—for the teaching as the learning life is uphill indeed—we know that no doubt trials and the "furrows of care" must occur along the road on the way; and men of standing and position far higher than ours could tell us, that they are not better off in that respect than their lower brethren in society. Meanwhile, through these trials of the feal ones, we feel that men are being enlightened, doctrines proved, the cycle of experience completed, errors removed and truth more dominant. After being almost shipwrecked on the rock of improbability, men must meet in the safe haven of the possible at last. In reference to the subject of this work, we are told: "Monarchy is impossible and hopeless in France!" "All will be social and political changes, no guarantees of good government, stagnant politics!" "The Monarchical party is not a formidable set of men pitted against the Liberal propensities of thousands of Frenchmen!" "Their remaining true to tradition is as little likely to restore a King to the throne of France, as the Stuarts were to oust the Hanoverians!" "Men indifferent alike to the principles they profess to believe and the interests which they certainly value!" "Men utterly unable to read the meaning of contemporary events!" "Men devoid of political wisdom, industry, and determination!" "A set of men who shipwrecked their best chances on the rocks of Frohsdorff!" In short, the talismanic "Réaction! Readionnaires!"
Such is the stock of loose or inaccurate, abusive or fanatical
