tise of Nathaniel Bacon, itself open to much exception, there has been no historical development of our constitution, founded upon extensive researches, or calculated to give a just notion of its character. For those parts of Henry's history which profess to trace the progress of government are still more jejune than the rest of his volumes; and the work of Professor Millar of Glasgow, however pleasing from its liberal spirit, displays a fault too common among the philosophers of his country, that of theorizing upon an imperfect induction, and very often upon a total misapprehension of particular facts. The ninth and last chapter relates to the general state of society in Europe during the middle ages, and comprehends the history of commerce, of manners, and of literature. None however of these are treated in detail, and the whole chapter is chiefly designed as supplemental to the rest, in order to vary the relations under which events may be viewed, and to give a more adequate sense of the spirit and character of the middle ages. In the execution of a plan far more comprehensive than what with a due consideration either of my abilities or opportunities I ought to have undertaken, it would be strangely presumptuous to hope that I can have rendered myself invulnerable to criticism. Even if flagrant errors should not be frequently detected, yet I am aware that a desire of conciseness has prevented the sense of some passages from appearing sufficiently distinct; and though I cannot hold myself generally responsible for omissions, in a work which could only be brought within a reasonable compass by the severe retrenchment of superfluous matter, it is highly probable that defective information, forgetfulness, or too great a regard for brevity have caused me to pass over many things which would have materially illustrated the various subjects of these inquiries. I dare not, therefore, appeal with confidence to the tribunal of those superior judges, who having bestowed a more undivided attention on the particular objects that have interested them, may justly deem such gene ral sketches imperfect and superficial; but my labours will not have proved fruitless, if they shall conduce to stimulate the reflection, to guide the researches, to correct the prejudices, or to animate the liberal and virtuous sentiments of inquisitive youth: Mî satis ampla Merces, et mihi grande decus, sim ignotus in ævum CONTENTS. Fall of the Roman Empire-Invasion of Clovis-First race of French Kings-Accession of Pepin-State of Italy -Charlemagne-his Reign and Character-Louis the Debonair-His Successors-Calamitous State of the Empire in the ninth and tenth Centuries-Accession of Hugh Capet-His first Successors-Louis VII.-Philip Augustus-Conquest of Normandy-War in Languedoc -Louis IX.-His Character-Digression upon the Crusades-Philip III.-Philip IV.-Aggrandizement War of Edward III. in France-Causes of his Success- Civil Disturbances of France-Peace of Bretigni—its Interpretation considered-Charles V. Renewal of the War-Charles VI.-his Minority and Insanity-Civil Dissensions of the Parties of Orleans and Burgundy- |