Prussia before the capitulation of Metz, French History begins not either from 1870 or 1792; and if men, strangers to History, cannot educate, let them be educated! Only look around to-day. Let them recollect and think over the remark made by President Grévy (after his acceptance of the Order of the Golden Fleece), in reply to a friend who reminded him of the famous Grévy Amendment, the object of which was to eliminate the President of the Republic "as useless to the direction of affairs, and dangerous in a country of Monarchical traditions." President Grevy said: "I am giving the proof of the necessity of my Amendment, and demonstrating that after me no President is possible." Veniam petimus damusgue vicissim.
By a fundamental law of nature, it is thus far at all events that all Revolutions in the world usefully serve to demolish the clay walls of refuge within which one-eyed politicians and sophists confide their safety. The traditions of prejudice and social exclusiveness do, no doubt, go far to account for the indifference, when not ignorance, about the rights of others as contained in History. This we grant readily. Happily freedom of times and force of character enable contemporary searchers to break through barriers and to do away with the defects of a limited early education and its trammels. In these days, when men are wont so easily to slip out of the straight line in exchange for notoriety or money, truth and fairness perhaps may prove, we fear, unfriendly visitors to many. But the guiding principle, "Be just and fear not," infallibly wins hearers at the least. And to these we offer this study.
Averse personally to party spirit, we gladly accept all good whencesoever it come. And if we appear as a staunch defender of a Christian economy, of Church and State, it is because our studies and experience have taught us that outside the religion of Christ, outside Christian society and Christian politics, there can be found neither lasting peace, greatness, freedom, nor true civilization; only oppressive, venal and weak men.
Before we address ourselves to the question which is before us, it is as well to dispose of one or two points connected with the current History of France. Radicals and Republicans will have some difficulty in persuading intelligent observers of facts that
