Recollections of the last half-century

Front matter

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THE LIBRARY

Preface

conversations which passed between various persons of note and myself.

I am aware that in the eyes of many I have laid myself open to the charge of dwelling on details having but slight connexion with matters of more general interest. Against this I shall not defend myself, as I write under the conviction that details of a private nature are sometimes more useful to futm'e historians than documentary evidence, which often lacks the insight to unveil the real causes to which great events are mainly due.

I wish the reader to understand that I simply narrate what I myself have seen, heard, or done, with a view of recording actual facts as well as opinions and ideas prevailing at that time, upon which I was requested by Prince Louis Napoleon at various times to speak my mind freely.

If the imperfections of this work, of which I am myself conscious, are not compensated in his mind by the perusal of its contents, I hope he will think leniently of them, and kindly make some allowance for my writing in a language which is not my own.