李維論

Permit me to inscribe your name on a translation of Machiavelli’s Discourses which I had your encouragement to undertake, and in which I have done my best to preserve something of the flavour of the original. Yours faithfully, NINIAN HILL THOMSON. FLORENCE, May 17, 1883. BOOK I. PREFACE CHAPTER I. Of the beginnings of Cities in general, and in particular of that of Rome II. Of the various kinds of Government; and to which of them the Roman Commonwealth belonged III. Of the accidents which led in Rome to the creation of Tribunes of the People, whereby the Republic was made more perfect IV. That the dissensions between the Senate and Commons of Rome made Rome free and powerful V. Whether the guardianship of public freedom is safer in the hands of the Commons or of the Nobles; and whether those who seek to acquire power, or they who seek to maintain it, are the greater cause of commotions VI. Whether it was possible in Rome to contrive such a Government as would have composed the differences between the Commons and the Senate VII. That to preserve liberty in a State, there must exist the right to accuse VIII. That calumny is as hurtful in a Commonwealth as the power to accuse is useful IX. That to give new institutions to a Commonwealth, or to reconstruct old institutions on an entirely new basis, must be the work of one Man X. That in proportion as the founder of a Kingdom or Commonwealth merits praise, he who founds a Tyranny deserves blame XI. Of the Religion of the Romans XII. That it is of much moment to make account of Religion; and that Italy, through the Roman Church, being wanting therein, has been ruined XIII.…