correctly distinguish and impartially judge the impressions which the individual mind receives from those around it, or the influence which it exercises in its turn; and few know how to pass lightly over, without altogether suppressing, what belongs to the history of the age rather than of the man, or to detect the components of the human character, and make them comprehensible to others by a well-grouped design." To furnish a biography of Charles Stuart, that shall comply with all the above conditions, is at present impossible, and is likely for ever to remain so, for they suppose the existence of trustworthy testimony on at least all the most important events; whereas it is extremely doubtful whether we shall ever obtain exact information relative to the many years during which the Prince resided at Florence, or relative to the history of his travels: indeed, if the whole of the Stuart Papers were made accessible, much, probably, would still remain obscure and unexplained that might have thrown an unexpected light on some of the most momentous events of his life. All that can at present be given is such a picture of the Prince, and of the occurrences in which he bore a part, as can be obtained from the materials within the power to author's reach. There are points on which it is not in his power to afford an indisputable solution; but he has been careful not to allow history again to appear as "tam ficti pravique tenax, quam nuncia veri ;" and in the picture which he has given, though he cannot pretend that no part of the character of his hero may have escaped him, he has presented what in its details may afford opportunities for correction to those better informed than himself, but the main design of which must continue unaltered, if it is to remain faithful to its great original. For such a picture of Charles we are now possessed of a sufficient store of authentic materials; and as the following pages may fairly be described as the first attempt to combine those materials to such an end, the author hopes that, having exercised his best judgment, and spared no pains in its composition, his work will not be an unwelcome one to the reading world. In giving dates I have always adopted the New Style, unless where circumstances rendered this impossible, as, for instance, in the case of documents, &c.; but all such variations I have care fully marked; and I have endeavoured, by a reference to Raumer's Geschichte Europa's seit dem Ende des funfzehnten Jahrhunderts, to avoid the inaccuracies into which the contradictory statements of different writers, as to dates, are but too well calculated to lead. C. L. KLOSE. |