Preface to the First Edition of Histories of the Latin and Germanic Peoples (October 1824)

The present book, I readily admit, seemed to me more perfect before it was printed than it does now that it is in print. However, I count on favorably inclined readers to pay less attention to its faults than to its possible virtues. Since I do not entirely trust it to make its own way, however, I shall preface it with a brief explanation about its purpose, subject, and form.