286 ANCIENT AND MODERN LANGUAGES. 
and making known this the fruit of many years’ 
research and observation was suggested some 
months ago, when two of the most powerful and 
most enlightened nations in Europe seemed to be 
on the point of renewing all the horrors and 
miseries of war. Thanks to the wisdom and 
moderation of the two governments, that danger 
is now over; but it may recur; and I considered 
it a duty to contribute my humble share to that 
great work of modern civilization and philosophy, 
a work of charity, unity and peace, which is to 
efface by degrees the supposed originality of 
races, the difference of traditions, the diversity 
of habits and customs, the opposition of interests, 
and, at last, to constitute the great human family 
on the wrecks of a long divided and ever strug- 
gling society. 
January 6th, 1845. 
