Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from History of England, Vol. 1 of 2: From the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Paris
I'r may well be doubted whether the subordinate function of editorship can claim any right of dedication: but a desire to in scribe this edition to you tempts me to give little heed to the doubt; and in taking this liberty with the Author's book, I venture to find some encouragement in the cordiality of his assent to my editorial connection with it.
There is, moreover, an historic association, which, if need be, will, I trust, justify me in dedicating to a lineal descendant of Franklin these volumes from the pen of a Stanhope. When in the year 1775, in those private interviews which have become part of history, William Pitt and Benjamin Franklin met in the Spirit of enlarged and sagacious statesmanship to consult on measures of conciliation between England and her discontented colonies, those conferences were brought about by the friendly courtesy of two of the Author's forefathers - the second Earl Stanhope and his son (the son-ih-law of Chatham), the Lord Mahon of that generation. Their attentions are recorded by Franklin as something more than civilities, for they were directed to the welfare of America and the security of the constitutional rights of American colonists. The memory of that kindly intercourse between the men of former days may be revived, not inaptly, I hope, on this page of an American edition of a history from the pen of a descendant, and at the same time it serves to give me some kind of authority for gratifying my own feelings by the introduction of your name in this place.
Of the personal feelings which prompt this dedication I scarcely venture to speak. It is enough to say that I seize the occasion to make this memorial of a valued friendship, which, having had its origin when joint duties and responsibilities united us in constant and confidential intercourse, has suffered no change with years or amid the changes that years bring along with them: but rather, notwithstanding the path of duty for us in life has become parted, it has found new sources of strength, among which not the least is that unwearied zeal for another's welfare which is so large an ele ment in your sense Of friendship.
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