HISTORY OF MODERN FRANCE IN TWO VOLUMES Volume I 18151852 - The aim of this series is to slate the history of Modem Europe, with that of its chief colonies and conquests, from about the end of the fifteenth century down to the present time. In one or two cases the story commences at an earlier date in the case of the colonies it generally begins later. The histories of the different countries are described, as a rule, separately for it is believed that, except in epochs like that of the French Revolution and Napoleon I, the connection of events will thus be better under stood and the continuity of historical development more dearly displayed. The series is intended for the use of all persons anxious to understand the nature of existing political conditions. The roots of the present lie deep in the past and the real significance of contemporary events cannot be grasped unless the historical causes which have led to them are known. The plan adopted makes it possible to treat the history of the last four centuries in consider able detail, and to embody the most important results of modern research. It is hoped therefore that the series will be useful not only to beginners but to students who have already acquired some general knowledge of European History. For those who wish to carry-their studies further, the bibliography appended to each volume will act as a guide to original sources of information and works of a more special character. Considerable attention is paid to political geography and each volume is furnished with such maps and plans as may be requisite for the illustration of the text. G. W. PROTHERO. PREFACE author of this work having asked me to write a few - words by way of introduction, I readily consent, for I esteem it an honour to have been the means of bringing his book before the British public. It would ill beseem me, as general editor of the series to which it belongs, to praise a work in whose production I have necessarily had some share, however humble and praise would be superfluous, for I am convinced that the book will amply recommend itself. But it may be interesting to its readers to learn something of the author, and of his high qualifications for the task which, at my invitation, he undertook. M. Bourgeois began his historical studies as the pupil of Fustel de Coulanges, Ernest Lavisse, and Gabriel Monod. After devoting himself for some years to the teaching of medieval history at the University of Caen, he became a grofessor at the University of Lyons, where he studied and taught the history of modern France, and the g eneral history of Europe since the seventeenth century. During his residence at Lyons 1885-93, he published three volumes on the diplomacy of the Regent and the Abb6 Dubois, George the First and Elizabeth Farnese. this work was crowned by the Institute of France. He also viii Preface edited, with critical notes, the correspondence of Alberoni, Voltaires Siicle de Louis XIV, and Spanheims Relation de la Cour de France. In 1890 he undertook a still more ambitious task the production of an Historical Manual on the Foreign Policy of France from Richelieu to the Congress of Berlin. This work, the ripe fruit of researches in the archives of his own and other countries, pursued during twenty years, has been completed in three volumes. A fourth volume, in which the author hopes to carry the story down to the present day, is in preparation. M. Bour geois chapters in the Cambridge Modern History vols. x, xi and xii, on France during the Restoration, the Mon archy of July, the Revolution of 1848, the Second Empire and the Third Republic, axe familiar to many readers...