Lives of British statesmen

Preface

Of the men who have guided the councils of our country, and attained distinguished political eminence, we are desirous to learn many particulars, which would be misplaced in the general annals of a nation. The historian may seize the prominent features of their character, and describe the most important of their public transactions ; but numerous anecdotes, both of their public and private life, however interesting, he must leave unrecorded, while a whole people demand his attention. We are solicitous to know the steps by which they ascended to power, the qualities by which they retained their station, the incidents by which they terminated their exalted career. We are pleased to observe them in the more private intercourse of life ; to follow them into their families and closets ; and to discover how the men, who govern empires, con-

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duct themselves amidst the cares and duties which are common to the humble and the exalted.

Nor is our curiosity alone interested by such information. To those who prepare to tread the same paths, and to gratify their ambition in the discharge of public functions, the progress and transactions of their illustrious predecessors must be the volume in which they are to read the most important lessons. But it is not the statesman alone who is called on to observe the results of political experience : in this country, where public opinion is possessed of so much sway, the voice even of private individuals may have some influence on the national councils.

The moral lessons afforded by the career of statesmen demand not less attention. Every one is interested to learn, from such eminent examples, that the lustre of the highest station is derived from the same virtues as those which embellish private life ; and that happiness is most attainable, as well as most secure, when our condition excites not the jealous passions of mankind.

Such are the views which have guided the Author in delineating the Lives of British Statesmen. He has been anxious to derive his information

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from the most authentic sources ; and to exhibit virtues and defects equally without exaggeration or diminution. He has avoided many opportunities of discussion, where the result did not seem of importance to his immediate object ; but he has occasionally attempted, in the illustration of his subject, to throw light on some obscure or disputed parts of history. He has endeavoured to select the Lives from periods sufficiently distinct to prevent a repetition of the same political transactions, yet sufficiently connected to form a chain of history without considerable interruptions.