I had, with the world, deemed Montesquieu's
a work of much merit; but saw in it, with every thinking man, so much of
paradox, of false principle, and misapplied fact, as to render its value
equivocal on the whole. Williams and others had nibbled only at
its errors. A radical correction of them, therefore, was a great
desideratum. This want is now supplied, and with a depth of thought,
precision; of idea, of language, and of logic, which will force
conviction into every mind. I declare to you, Sir, in the spirit of
truth and sincerity, that I consider it the most precious gift the
present age has received. But what would it have been, had the author,
or would the author, take up the whole scheme of Montesquieu's work, and
following the correct analysis he has here developed, fill up all its
parts according to his sound views of them. Montesquieu's celebrity
would be but a small portion of that which would immortalize the author.
And with whom? With the rational and high-minded spirits of the present
and all future ages. With those whose approbation is both incitement
and reward to virtue and ambition. Is then the hope desperate? To what
object can the occupation of his future life be devoted so usefully to
the world, so splendidly to himself? But I must leave to others who have
higher claims on his attention, to press these considerations.
My situation, far in the interior of the country, was not favorable to
the object of getting this work translated and printed.
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