The introduction to Part I. of the "Sketches of Switzerland," leavesvery little for the author to say in addition. The reader will beprepared to meet with a long digression, that touches on the situationand interests of another country, and it is probable he will understandthe author's motive for thus embracing matter that is not strictlyconnected with the principal subject of the work.
The first visit of the writer to Switzerland was paid in 1828; thatwhich is related in these two volumes, in 1832. While four years hadmade no changes in the sublime nature of the region, they had seriouslyaffected the political condition of all Europe. They had also producedavariance of feeling and taste in the author, that is the unavoidableconsequences of time and experience. Four years in Europe are an age tothe American, as are four years in America to the European. Jeffersonhas somewhere said, that no American ought to be more than five years,at a time, out of his own country, lest he get behind it. Thismay betrue, as to its facts; but the author is convinced that thereis moredanger of his getting before it, as to opinion. It isnot improbablethat this book may furnish evidence of both these truths.
Some one, in criticising the First Part of Switzerland, hasintimatedthat the writer has a purpose to serve with the "Trades' Unions," bythepurport of some of his remarks. As this is a country in which theavowalof a tolerably sordid and base motive seems to be indispensable, evento safety, the writer desires to express his sense of the critic'sliberality, as it may save him from a much graver imputation.
There is really a painful humiliation in the reflection, that acitizenof mature years, with as good natural and accidental means forpreferment as have fallen to the share of most others, may pass hislifewithout a fact of any sort to impeach his disinterestedness,and yetnot be able to express a generous or just sentiment in behalf of hisfellow-creatures, without laying himself open to suspicions that are asdegrading to those who entertain them, as they are injurious to allindependence of thought, and manliness of character.
Influence of the late Revolution in France.—GeneralLafayette.—Sketchof his Private Life.—My visits to him.—His opinion of Louis XVI.—Mr.Morris and Mr. Crawford.—Duplicity of Louis XVIII.—Charles X.—MarieAntoinette.—Legitimacy of the Duc de Bordeaux.—Discovery of the Plotof 1822.—Lafayette's conduct on that occasion.—A negro Spy.—GeneralKnyphausen.—Louis-Philippe and Lafayette.—My visit to Court.—TheKing, the Queen, Madame Adelaide, and the Princesses.—MarshalJourdan.—The Duke of Orleans.—Interview with the King.—"Adieul'Amérique!"—Conversation with Lafayette.—The JusteMilieu.—Monarchy not inconsistent with RepublicanInstitutions.—Partyin favour of the Duc de Bordeaux.
LETTER II....