Life of Napoleon Bonaparte I

On the execution of his task it becomes the Author to be silent. He is aware it must exhibit many faults; but he claims credit for having brought to the undertaking a mind disposed to do his subject as impartial justice as his judgment could supply. He will be found no enemy to the person of Napoleon. The term of hostility is ended when the battle has been won and the foe exists no longer. His splendid personal qualities-his great military actions and political services to France-will not it is hoped be found depreciated in the narrative. Unhappily the Author's task involved a duty of another kind the discharge of which is due to France to Britain to Europe and to the world. If the general system of Napoleon has rested upon force or fraud it is neither the greatness of his talents nor the success of his undertakings that ought to stifle the voice or dazzle the eyes of him who adventures to be his historian. The reasons however are carefully summed up where the Author has presumed to express a favourable or unfavourable opinion of the distinguished person of whom these volumes treat; so that each reader may judge of their validity for himself.