106 ADVERTISEMENT. 



The translator does not enter the arena either 

 in defence of M. Renan or of the French Govern- 

 ment. In England his appointment would either 

 never have been made, or never have been re- 

 scinded upon the mere pressure of any set of men 

 of extreme opinions, whatever their rank or profes- 

 sion. As it is, the London Review is not far wrong 

 in saying, " It is difficult to say how much harm 

 may be done to the Imperial Government by too 

 frequently yielding to the noisy protests of ene- 

 mies who vent their spite by interrupting plays 

 and lectures. Not to have appointed Professor 

 Renan, would have been but a small matter. 

 ' Here is another instance/ people would have 

 said, ' of an able man passed over on account of 

 his political opinions.' First, however, to appoint 

 him, and then to suspend him in deference to the 

 clamour of the Ultramontane faction, is to give 

 the bitterest enemies of the present regime a most 

 unnecessary triumph." 



The lecture is here presented to the reader as 

 sent forth by the author in print, being simply a 

 faithful translation of the French original. Truth 

 has nothing to fear from error ; constant friction 

 does but improve its polish, even as it removes 

 the rust from steel. 



May, 1862. 



