Excerpt from The History of Napoleon, Vol. 1 of 2

In historical compositions, the chief characters and events of which have produced a powerful influence on men and things, the difficulties attending the task are not so much occasioned by the complexities of the facts, as by the conflict of feelings amongst various classes of readers. Whenever a truth is discovered, nothing can be easier than to state it, but to state it in the way best adapted to gain due credence among the majority of all parties, yet without compromising its integrity, requires the most entire equanimity of thought and feeling. The attainment of this rare condition of mind can seldom be accomplished by any means so efficient as a full perception of the fact that, in most cases, "men's judgments are a parcel of their fortunes, " for circumstances, rather than the will, determine opinion.

These difficulties, however, are enhanced to the extreme, when, as in the history of Napoleon, the chief agents and sufferers are of recent date, and when the events were of a nature to call into play the strongest passions, interests, and opinions-political, social, commercial, philosophical, and religious, the consequences of which are still fresh in the memory of the world, and still felt strongly by extensive populations.

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