The Ruins | Page 4

of Mr. Volney. It is a
presentation copy "on the part of Madame, the Countess de Volney,
and of the nephew of the author," and it may therefore be taken for
granted that Mr. Volney's portrait, as here given, is correct, and was
satisfactory to his family.
An explanation of the figures and diagrams shown on the map of the
Astrological Heaven of the Ancients has been added in the appendix by
the publisher.
PETER ECKLER.
New York, January 3, 1890.

TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE
OF THE ENGLISH EDITION PUBLISHED IN PARIS.
To offer the public a new translation of Volney's Ruins may require
some apology in the view of those who are acquainted with the work
only in the English version which already exists, and which has had a
general circulation. But those who are conversant with the book in the
author's own language, and have taken pains to compare it with that
version, must have been struck with the errors with which the English
performance abounds. They must have regretted the loss of many
original beauties, some of which go far in composing the essential
merits of the work.
The energy and dignity of the author's manner, the unaffected elevation

of his style, the conciseness, perspicuity and simplicity of his diction,
are everywhere suited to his subject, which is solemn, novel, luminous,
affecting,--a subject perhaps the most universally interesting to the
human race that has ever been presented to their contemplation. It takes
the most liberal and comprehensive view of the social state of man,
develops the sources of his errors in the most perspicuous and
convincing manner, overturns his prejudices with the greatest delicacy
and moderation, sets the wrongs he has suffered, and the rights he
ought to cherish, in the clearest point of view, and lays before him the
true foundation of morals--his only means of happiness.
As the work has already become a classical one, even in English, and as
it must become and continue to be so regarded in all languages in
which it shall be faithfully rendered, we wish it to suffer as little as
possible from a change of country;--that as much of the spirit of the
original be transfused and preserved as is consistent with the nature of
translation.
How far we have succeeded in performing this service for the English
reader we must not pretend to determine. We believe, however, that we
have made an improved translation, and this without claiming any
particular merit on our part, since we have had advantages which our
predecessor had not. We have been aided by his labors; and, what is of
still more importance, our work has been done under the inspection of
the author, whose critical knowledge of both languages has given us a
great facility in avoiding such errors as might arise from hurry or
mistake.
Paris, November 1, 1802.

PREFACE OF THE LONDON EDITION.*
* Published by T. Allman, 42 Holborn Hill, London, 1851.
The plan of this publication was formed nearly ten years ago; and
allusions to it may be seen in the preface to Travels in Syria and Egypt,
as well as at the end of that work, (published in 1787). The
performance was in some forwardness when the events of 1788 in
France interrupted it. Persuaded that a development of the theory of
political truth could not sufficiently acquit a citizen of his debt to
society, the author wished to add practice; and that particularly at a
time when a single arm was of consequence in the defence of the

general cause.
The same desire of public benefit which induced him to suspend his
work, has since engaged him to resume it, and though it may not
possess the same merit as if it had appeared under the circumstances
that gave rise to it, yet he imagines that at a time when new passions
are bursting forth,--passions that must communicate their activity to the
religious opinions of men,--it is of importance to disseminate such
moral truths as are calculated to operate as a curb and restraint. It is
with this view he has endeavored to give to these truths, hitherto treated
as abstract, a form likely to gain them a reception.
It was found impossible not to shock the violent prejudices of some
readers; but the work, so far from being the fruit of a disorderly and
perturbed spirit, has been dictated by a sincere love of order and
humanity.
After reading this performance it will be asked, how it was possible in
1784 to have had an idea of what did not take place till the year 1790?
The solution is simple. In the original plan the legislator was a fictitious
and hypothetical being: in the present, the author has substituted an
existing legislator; and the reality has