without a general idea of their internal condition, of their interests, and the motives of their policy. But as the English reader of this book may be presumed to have acquired a general knowledge of the history of his own country, the domestic affairs of England have not been described. On the other hand, particular attention has been paid to the policy of England as a member of the European commonwealth. This second and revised edition will be found to contain the same principles on which the first was written. They are those of rational liberty, both civil and religious, as established and fostered by the Protestant Reformation, and by the more liberal and enlightened views to which it gave birth. And though compliance with certain retrograde notions might perhaps have increased the circulation of the book, the Author was unwilling to sacrifice to such a consideration what he considers to be the interests of truth and progress. ВАТИ, Sept. 3rd, 1877. |