P.S. I had intended to offer some remarks as to the credibility of Buonarroti as a historian, but the following extracts are, I think, considering the quarter from whence they come, sufficiently decisive on that point. A good word from the Quarterly is—in Buonarroti's case at least (to use his own words)—omni exceptione major.
(From the Quarterly Review.))
" The work of Buonarroti may be considered not only as the most curious one which has appeared concerning the French Revolution, but as the most important also."
Again—" Let us render justice both to Buonarroti and his work. That he was an accomplished person, and a man of great abilities, is beyond all doubt ; as little can it be doubted, that if his opinions had been compatible with the public welfare (Tory welfare he means), or if he had lived in peaceful times, he might in many respects have been an estimable and distinguished member of society. The estimation in which he was held at the Court of the Grand Duke, Leopold, is proof of this. To speak of him as intrepid, would be to use a word at once inadequate and inappropriate ; to use an expression of Marshal Soult, he was an impassable man ; he could have done whatever Sylla or Marius did ; whatever Timor or Nadir enjoined among barbarians, or Simon de Montford and Alva among persecuting Christians, he could have executed without hesitation and without remorse, &c. &c. * * * * He has rendered an important service to society by the publication of these Memoirs. There never was a book more trustworthy in all its statements," &c.
Again — " On the subject of the conspiracy his authority is omni exceptione major ; he is perfectly explicit both as to the object at which he aimed and the means by which it was to be brought about; the object was to subvert the existing system, not of Government alone, but of society in France, and to introduce an absolute community of goods ; the means were, an insurrection first, the massacre of all who opposed them, the putting of the whole legislative body to death, and placing the operatives, the malheureux, as he sometimes calls them, in possession of the property and houses of the higher orders throughout the whole of France !" &c. &c. &c.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
I take this opportunity to announce that I will shortly send forth to the public several new works, of which I have repeatedly given intimation in the Poor Man's Guardian, Twopenny Dispatch, &c. Amongst these will be — "A True Life and Character of Maximilian Robespierre"—"A Real History of the French Revolution"—"A History of the English Commonwealth"—and "An Essay on the Existing State and Future Prospects of Society."I am now engaged in collecting materials for these works, and hope to have Robespierre's Life in stereotype before the last number of Buonarroti shall have appeared. The others shall follow with all the despatch compatible with the due execution of such important and, necessarily, laborious undertakings. Of their nature and principles I shall only observe here that I intend them to be instrumental in familiarising the public mind of England with those great principles of social and political reform, the application of which I consider essential to the regeneration and happiness of mankind. Bronterre.
