A statement and work regarding the moral principles of the party of individual liberty, and the political measures founded upon them.

    

    V. Dicey (1835–1922) was an English jurist, Vinerian Professor of English Law at Oxford University, and author of, among other works, The Law of the Constitution.Please note: This title is available as an ebook for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes.

    Absolutlutly fascinating> Found it in our local second hand book store. Did you know the Parliament was only called into session after the fox-hunting ended? Usually in February/

    It is above all a grand survey of the Europe of the Enlightenment and the Ancien Regime in the last generation before the Revolution. Catherine of Russia and Maria Theresa, Frederick II and Louis XV, their public professions their real aims, their courts, their ministers, their notions of conduct, are presented with a lucidity, elegance and ruthlessness worthy of their own age.But the book is also much more. Sorel's whole argument is that the Revolution can only be understood, and its subsequent development explained, by the study of causes rooted deep in the past. His naturally analytical, profoundly historical, cast of mind leads him to trace characteristics, to coin epigrams, to strike off generalisations, to reveal insights that illumine the whole course of European history in language both witty and graceful.So many-faceted a work asks much of its translators. In professor Cobban and Mr.Hunt it has found a breadth of erudition and a literary skill equal to all the demands made upon them. They have identified all Sorel's sources and where necessary supplied additional notes.

    The Grammont Memoirs, devoid of date and detail, and addressed "to those who read only for amusement," present but brief imperfect sketches of the wits and beauties who thronged the court of the merry monarch whilst the brilliant Frenchman sojourned in England. Pepys, during the first nine years of the Restoration, narrates such gossip as reached him regarding Whitehall and the practices that obtained there. Evelyn records some trifling actions of the king and his courtiers, with a view of pointing a moral, rather than from a desire of adorning a tale. To supply this want in our literature, I have endeavoured to present a picture of the domestic life of a king, whose name recalls pages of the brightest romance and strangest gallantry in our chronicles. To this I have added a study of London during his reign, taken as far as possible from rare, and invariably from authentic sources. It will readily be seen this work, embracing such subjects, could alone have resulted from careful study and untiring consultation of diaries, records, memoirs, letters, pamphlets, tracts, and papers left by contemporaries familiar with the court and capital. The accomplishment of such a task necessitated an expenditure of time, and devotion to labour, such as in these fretful and impatient days is seldom bestowed on work. As in previous volumes I have writ no fact is set down without authority, so likewise the same rule is pursued in these; and for such as desire to test the accuracy thereof, or follow at further length statements necessarily abbreviated, a list is appended of the principal literature consulted. And inasmuch as I have found pleasure in this work, so may my gentle readers derive profit therefrom; and as I have laboured, so may they enjoy. Expressing which fair wishes, and moreover commending myself unto their love and service, I humbly take my leave.--J. FITZGERALD MOLLOY