Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 1 | Page 9

a considerable extent the unfair and unfavorable impression
created against rational religion: supplementary, by adding such additional information as
the editor's reading may have been able to furnish, from original documents or books, not
accessible at the time when Gibbon wrote.
The work originated in the editor's habit of noting on the margin of his copy of Gibbon
references to such authors as had discovered errors, or thrown new light on the subjects
treated by Gibbon. These had grown to some extent, and seemed to him likely to be of
use to others. The annotations of M. Guizot also appeared to him worthy of being better
known to the English public than they were likely to be, as appended to the French

translation.
The chief works from which the editor has derived his materials are, I. The French
translation, with notes by M. Guizot; 2d edition, Paris, 1828. The editor has translated
almost all the notes of M. Guizot. Where he has not altogether agreed with him, his
respect for the learning and judgment of that writer has, in general, induced him to retain
the statement from which he has ventured to differ, with the grounds on which he formed
his own opinion. In the notes on Christianity, he has retained all those of M. Guizot, with
his own, from the conviction, that on such a subject, to many, the authority of a French
statesman, a Protestant, and a rational and sincere Christian, would appear more
independent and unbiassed, and therefore be more commanding, than that of an English
clergyman.
The editor has not scrupled to transfer the notes of M. Guizot to the present work. The
well-known??eal for knowledge, displayed in all the writings of that distinguished
historian, has led to the natural inference, that he would not be displeased at the attempt
to make them of use to the English readers of Gibbon. The notes of M. Guizot are signed
with the letter G.
II. The German translation, with the notes of Wenck. Unfortunately this learned translator
died, after having completed only the first volume; the rest of the work was executed by a
very inferior hand.
The notes of Wenck are extremely valuable; many of them have been adopted by M.
Guizot; they are distinguished by the letter W. ^*
[Footnote *: The editor regrets that he has not been able to find the Italian translation,
mentioned by Gibbon himself with some respect. It is not in our great libraries, the
Museum or the Bodleian; and he has never found any bookseller in London who has seen
it.]
III. The new edition of Le Beau's "Histoire du Bas Empire, with notes by M. St. Martin,
and M. Brosset." That distinguished Armenian scholar, M. St. Martin (now, unhappily,
deceased) had added much information from Oriental writers, particularly from those of
Armenia, as well as from more general sources. Many of his observations have been
found as applicable to the work of Gibbon as to that of Le Beau.
IV. The editor has consulted the various answers made to Gibbon on the first appearance
of his work; he must confess, with little profit. They were, in general, hastily compiled by
inferior and now forgotten writers, with the exception of Bishop Watson, whose able
apology is rather a general argument, than an examination of misstatements. The name of
Milner stands higher with a certain class of readers, but will not carry much weight with
the severe investigator of history.
V. Some few classical works and fragments have come to light, since the appearance of
Gibbon's History, and have been noticed in their respective places; and much use has
been made, in the latter volumes particularly, of the increase to our stores of Oriental
literature. The editor cannot, indeed, pretend to have followed his author, in these

gleanings, over the whole vast field of his inquiries; he may have overlooked or may not
have been able to command some works, which might have thrown still further light on
these subjects; but he trusts that what he has adduced will be of use to the student of
historic truth.
The editor would further observe, that with regard to some other objectionable passages,
which do not involve misstatement or inaccuracy, he has intentionally abstained from
directing particular attention towards them by any special protest.
The editor's notes are marked M.
A considerable part of the quotations (some of which in the later editions had fallen into
great confusion) have been verified, and have been corrected by the latest and best
editions of the authors.
June, 1845.
In this new edition, the text and the notes have been carefully revised, the latter by the
editor.
Some additional notes have been subjoined, distinguished by the signature M. 1845.
Preface Of The Author.
It is not my intention