ADVERTISEMENT TO THE NEW EDITION. In this edition of Dr. Russell's very popular and interesting work, some important errors have been corrected; but the editor has been scrupulously cautious in making no unnecessary alterations in a work of such established character as the History of Modern Europe. The work has been continued to the commencement of the present year; and the author of the continuation has laboured to be as impartial as is possible for the writer of contemporary history. It is probable that the consequences of the French Revolution and the English Reform are not yet so fully developed as to enable us to judge accurately of their tendency; the writer has therefore passed no judgment on the moral effects of those great events. The characters of the agents are, however, fair subjects of discussion, and he has therefore not scrupled to examine how far the conduct of public men has resulted from purity of motive and rectitude of principle. As vi he lays no claim to infallibility, he may in some instances be mistaken, and, doubtlessly, some of his readers will dissent from the view he has taken of modern politics. He trusts, however, that, even those who differ from him will give him credit for a sincere desire to discover the truth, and for a sincere expression of his deliberate opinions. A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS ΤΟ To be ascribed more immediately to the too great extent of the Roman do- General character of the Barbarians who attacked the empire Despicable policy of the Romans in purchasing their forbearance, and The Visigoths plant themselves in Spain; the Franks in Gaul; the Saxons ibid. That change not to be lamented ibid. Contempt of the Barbarians for the Roman improvements, and its cause. ibid. Sketch of the primitive government of the barbarous invaders They considered their conquests as common property ibid. After settling in the provinces of the Roman empire, they established a new The judicial proceedings of the Barbarians were long very absurd Resentment was almost the sole motive for prosecuting crimes Upon the whole, the feudal system was less debasing than the uniform Introductory reflections on Historic Composition Comparative insignificance of modern history before the time of Charlemagne ibid. 481 Clovis establishes the kingdom of France 496 He defeats the Allemanni at Tolbiac, and is baptized with almost the 507 Vanquishes Alaric, king of the Visigoths. Disgraces the latter part of his reign by cruelty and perfidy 511 His death 613 Clotaire II. becomes sole king of France 628 Dagobert, by his vices and imprudence, greatly weakens the royal authority ibid. 686 Pepin, duke of Austrasia, usurps the administration, under the name of 714 After his death, Charles Martel, his natural son, assumes the government ibid. 586 Death of Leovigild, the murderer of his son 615 Sisebut dispossesses the Greek emperors of the territories which they had 680 Wamba is excluded from the throne, because he had been clothed in the 717 Pelagius, a prince of the royal blood, retires to the mountains of Austurias, ibid. 733 The Moors are defeated by Charles Martel, in attempting to penetrate into ibid. Miseries of Spain under its Moorish governors ibid. |