PREFACE TO THE THIED EDITION. XIX 



vergence of principle and thought. I readily ac- 

 knowledge the right of an opinion adverse to the 

 publication in those of my opponents, to whom a 

 tender regard for persons of exalted rank appears a 

 higher duty than what is due to the people and its 

 welfare, to the establishment of retrospective histo- 

 cal truth, and to the development of future political 

 progress. With them it is impossible to argue. But 

 if others, who profess to entertain liberal principles, 

 chime in with that opinion, I cannot consider it my 

 business to open their eyes to the state of their own 

 minds. 



LUDMILLA ASSING. 

 Berlin, 10th March, 1860. 



By way of postscript to this perfect justification of 

 the publication, the following letter of gift is now 

 added : 



Berlin, 7th of December, 1856. 



To my dear niece, Ludmilla Assing, who for many 

 years has bestowed upon me most loving care and 

 attendance, I have in gratitude presented all my 

 books and manuscripts, all my literary papers and 



