He has especially profited from the two most thoughtful historians, Tacitus and Plutarch; but, though a philosopher familiar with these authors might have dispensed with many others, he neglected nothing that could be of use.  The reading necessary for the ‘Spirit of Laws’ is immense; and the author’s ingenuity is the more wonderful because he was almost blind, and obliged to depend on other men’s eyes.  This prodigious reading contributes not only to the utility, but to the agreeableness of the work.  Without sacrificing dignity, M. de Montesquieu entertains the reader by unfamiliar facts, or by delicate allusions, or by those strong and brilliant touches which paint, by one stroke, nations and men.

In a word, M. de Montesquieu stands for the study of laws, as Descartes stood for that of philosophy.  He often instructs us, and is sometimes mistaken; and even when he mistakes, he instructs those who know how to read him.  The last edition of his works demonstrates, by its many corrections and additions, that when he has made a slip, he has been able to rise again.

But what is within the reach of all the world is the spirit of the ‘Spirit of Laws,’ which ought to endear the author to all nations, to cover far greater faults than are his.  The love of the public good, a desire to see men happy, reveals itself everywhere; and had it no other merit, it would be worthy, on this account alone, to be read by nations and kings.  Already we may perceive that the fruits of this work are ripe.  Though M. de Montesquieu scarcely survived the publication of the ‘Spirit of Laws,’ he had the satisfaction to foresee its effects among us; the natural love of Frenchmen for their country turned toward its true object; that taste for commerce, for agriculture, and for useful arts, which insensibly spreads itself in our nation; that general knowledge of the principles of government, which renders people more attached to that which they ought to love.  Even the men who have indecently attacked this work perhaps owe more to it than they imagine.  Ingratitude, besides, is their least fault.  It is not without regret and mortification that we expose them; but this history is of too much consequence to M. de Montesquieu and to philosophy to be passed over in silence.  May that reproach, which at last covers his enemies, profit them!

The ‘Spirit of Laws’ was at once eagerly sought after on account of the reputation of its author; but though M. de Montesquieu had written for thinkers, he had the vulgar for his judge.  The brilliant passages scattered up and down the work, admitted only because they illustrated the subject, made the ignorant believe that it was written for them.  Looking for an entertaining book, they found a useful one, whose scheme and details they could not comprehend without attention.  The ’Spirit of Laws’ was treated with a deal of cheap wit; even the title of it was made a subject of pleasantry.  In a word, one of the finest literary monuments which our nation ever produced was received almost with scurrility.  It was requisite that competent judges should have time to read it, that they might correct the errors of the fickle multitude.  That small public which teaches, dictated to that large public which listens to hear, how it ought to think and speak; and the suffrages of men of abilities formed only one voice over all Europe.