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PRINTED BY W. HUGHES, KING'S HEAD COURT, GOUGH Square.

SOLD BY

KEATING, DUKE STREET; DOLMAN, NEW BOND STREET;
AND JONES, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1838.

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PREFACE.

THE name of the Count Joseph De Maître, is a name, which was long well known, and is still honoured, in the circles of Statesmen; and in the schools of Diplomacy. In both of these, he long acted a conspicuous part. During a considerable number of years, he held, in his own country, the highest offices of State, was successively, Minister of Justice, Chancellor, &c.,— conciliating, by the wisdom, and prudence, of his conduct, the universal esteem, and approbation, of the nation. Subsequently, he was appointed, and sent, Ambassador to the Court of St. Petersburg, where he continued to reside, during the long term of fourteen years,―admired for his great talents; and beloved for his amiable virtues. He died, in 1822. The present accomplished Duchess of Laval is his daughter.

In the walks of Literature, the Count is alike distinguished, as he was in the schools of Politics. His works are various, and numerous. And if, indeed, the display of talents, eloquence, and learning;—if originality, and refinement, of sentiment; if close reasoning, and sound philosophy, are the characteristics of interesting, and useful, works,—it may confidently be asserted, that there are few authors, whose writings better deserve these praises than those of the Count De Maître. His works are, for the most part, political. But, they are, all of them, devoted to the cause of humanity; and to the interests of religion.

The work, which he published, at the beginning of the French Revolution, entitled, "Considérations sur La France," at

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