4 Travels in France 



candour by those who consider how many authors, of no 

 inconsiderable abiUty and reputation, have failed on that 

 difficult theme: the course I have steered is so removed from 

 extremes that I can hardly hope for the approbation of more 

 than a few; and I may apply to myself, in this instance, the 

 words of Swift: — " I have the ambition, common with other 

 reasoners, to wish at least that both parties may think me in 

 the right ; but if that is not to be hoped for, my next wish should 

 be that both might think me in the wrong ; which I would 

 understand as an ample justification of myself, and a sure 

 ground to believe that I have proceeded at least with impar- 

 tiality, and perhaps with truth." 



