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THE

MODERATE MONARCHY,

OR

Principles of the British Constitution,

DESCRIBED IN

A NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE AND MAXIMS

OF

ALFRED THE GREAT

AND HIS COUNSELLORS.

FROM THE GERMAN OF ALBERT V. HALLER.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED,

NOTES AND COMMENTARIES

ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION.

BY

FRANCIS STEINITZ,

AUTHOR OF "THE SHIP, ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS,

&c. &c. &c.

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"EXAMINE All, adopt thE BEST."

London:

LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMAN.

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WOOLLEY AND COOK, PRINTERS, ST. BENE'T PLACE,

GRACECHURCH STREET.

PREFACE.

WHEN man attains the age of maturity, the illusions of younger years mostly vanish. All that he had ardently desired to acquire in life seems not worthy the exertions; that which he had formerly cherished with the warmest passion, he now looks upon as transient, like all things in this world; and, besides religion and domestic happiness, little remains to attach himself to, as in former. years.

Although the enchanting visions of youthlove, fame, and honours-have fled from his sight, the recollections of the grandeur of some ideals, based on history, whom he venerated in his youth, are not wholly extinguished in maturer age.

Such was the impression which Haller's "ALFRED" made upon the translator in his youth, and which has since remained engraved in

his memory. Many great characters, pictured in history, and others, within his own recollection, who lived in the turbulent times at the close of the last and the beginning of the present century, although appreciated by him, could not eclipse the juvenile impression of the historical romance now before the reader.

The fortunate mixture of grandeur, mildness, and severity, religion and domestic virtues, love of the arts and sciences, combined with valour and heroic deeds, in one individual, also celebrated for his romantic adventures, could not fail to win sympathy and universal admiration, and the more so since not the slightest doubt was held of Haller's veracity, as the fame he had acquired as a philosopher, and author of the poem, the "Alps," was at that time spread all over Germany.

Although this little work, dedicated by Haller to the British nation, in the person of George III., is now out of print, its memory is preserved in every German heart; it having been written at

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