Despatches from Paris, 1788 - 1790. Selected by Oscar Browning. Vol. ii.
1788-1700. (Camden Society.)—The editor, who was prevented from writing an Introduction to the first volume by illness, is now, ho tells us, hindered by considerations of space. As the documents printed are not now given in full we cannot help thinking that a further retrenchment would have been advisable if it had secured for us such an Introduction as Mr. Browning could have furnished. The student wants a guide of this kind ; with the general reader it often counts for more than tho text itself. It is highly interesting to observe, as we pass through the volume, the signs, growing weekly plainer and more frequent, of the coming storm: Then those are frequently recurring analogies between the present and the past. In 1788 diplomatists were talking of relative armaments much as they are doing now. In 1788 the French Minister of Marine assures the Ambassador that France had only twelve ships of the Line in Atlantic ports and four in the Mediterranean and only 3,100 sailors in employment, a number soon to be reduced to 1,800. England, on the other band, was disarming slowly, but ho had "no material doubts of our good faith and pacific views." In Despatch 19 (April 17th, 1788) Daniel Hailes, with characteristic insight, discusses tho possibility of a, scheme, suggested by some enthusiasts, of Franco adopting some parts of the British Constitution. You must take it all or leave the matter alone, thinks Mr. %Liles, and ho sees grave difficulties. Abolish lettres de cachet—this was a prominent question when the book opens—and you must follow it up with a Habeas Corpus Act. There must be a public Budget ; if the conduct of Ministers is to be criticised, there must be liberty of the Press. But, after all, can you have real freedom in a military monarchy ? ho asks. What can you say to a prince who controls 163,000 mon? And ho must have as many if he is to protect his frontiers against power- ful neighbours. Britain, ho adds, is more favourably situated. What would ho say now to the throe millions or so which France now has in esse or posse, or to Germany's close approach to four millions ? Here is a little picture which well illustrates the head- ing which occupies all the right-hand pages throughout the volume, "Before the Revolution." The despatch bears data October 8th, 1789. On that day the Foreign Ministers had been received by the King. "The Palace seemed in the utmost disorder and was crowded with all sorts of people without distinction. The King was much dejected and said little. Iles Majesty's voice faltered, and the tears ran fast down her cheeks as she spoke, Venturi conscia fati.
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