PREFACE. Vll 



in one sense, so the lives of eminent men, freely written, 

 are truly the history of their times ; and that no more 

 authentic account of any age, its transactions, the springs 

 which impelled men's conduct, and the merits which differ- 

 ent actors in its scenes possessed, can be obtained than 

 by studying the biography of the personages who mainly 

 guided affairs, and examining their characters, which by 

 their influence they impressed upon the times they nourished 

 in. Such a work had moreover this advantage, that beside 

 preserving the memory of past events, and the likeness of 

 men who had passed from the stage, it afforded frequent 

 opportunities of inculcating the sound principles of an 

 enlightened and virtuous policy, of illustrating their ten- 

 dency to promote human happiness, of exhibiting their 

 power to exalt the genuine glory as well of individuals as of 

 nations. 



Though I could entertain little doubt that this plan was 

 expedient, no one could more doubt than I did the capacity 

 brought to its execution, or feel more distrustful of the pen 

 held by a hand which had so long been lifted up only in 

 the contentions of the Senate and the Forum. My only 

 confidence was in the spirit of fairness and of truth with 

 which I entered on the performance of the task; and 1 

 now acknowledge with respectful gratitude the favour 

 which the work has hitherto, so far above its deserts, 

 experienced from the public, both at home, in spite of party 

 opposition, and abroad, where no such unworthy influence 

 could have place. It is fit that I also express my equal 

 satisfaction at the testimony which has been borne to its 

 strict impartiality by those whose opinions, and the opinions 

 of whose political associates, differed the most widely from 

 my own. That in composing the work I never made any 

 sacrifice of those principles which have ever guided my 

 public conduct, is certain ; that I never concealed them in 



