PREFACE. IX 



the events described, also help to throw light 

 upon them ; and these have all been examined. 

 The citations in the margins represent but a 

 small part of the authorities consulted. 



This mass of material has been studied with 

 extreme care, and peculiar pains have been taken 

 to secure accuracy of statement. In the preface 

 of "The Old Regime," I wrote: "Some of the 

 results here reached are of a character which I 

 regret, since they cannot be agreeable to persons 

 for whom I have a very cordial regard. The 

 conclusions drawn from the facts may be matter 

 of opinion : but it will be remembered that the 

 facts themselves can be overthrown only by over- 

 throwing the evidence on which they rest, or 

 bringing forward counter-evidence of equal or 

 greater strength ; and neither task will be found 

 an easy one." 



The invitation implied in these w r ords has not 

 been accepted. " The Old Regime " was met by 

 vehement protest in some quarters ; but, so far 

 as I know, none of the statements of fact con- 

 tained in it have been attacked by evidence, or 

 even challenged. The lines just quoted are 

 equally applicable to this volume. Should there 

 be occasion, a collection of documentary proofs 

 will be published more than sufficient to make 

 good the positions taken. Meanwhile, it will, I 

 think, be clear to an impartial reader that the 



