University of Virginia Library

“We repose on the authority of the work with more confidence
than ever, when we see how little it contains which so acute and
well informed an annotator as Mr. Spencer found to require correction
or explanation. And we earnestly wish that it may come
into extensive circulation among our countrymen; agreeing as
we do with its editor,—that `the people described by a work of
such character should not be the only one in Christendom unacquainted
with its contents,'—and that it cannot fail to promote,
with American readers, `a more thorough knowledge of their
frames of government, and a more just appreciation of the great
principles on which they are founded.”'

“We consider this book as the most valuable addition which
has been for a long time made to our stock of political literature;
and as such, well worthy a place in every American library.”
“It is singular that two of the best accounts which have appeared
of the laws and constitutions of England and of the United States,
should have been written by Frenchmen. The reputation of De
Lolme has been long established, and we think this of M. De
Tocqueville scarcely less remarkable, as a clear, accurate, and
philosophical view of the political institutions of a country foreign
to the author.”

“A work, not inferior to Montesquieu, and on a par with the
best politico-philosophical works of Aristotle. Marshall, Kent, or
Story, could not have been, generally speaking, more correct in
the philosophy of our constitution. The study of such a work
by our young men, we need not add, will be of invaluable service
to them and to their country.”

“De Tocqueville appears to have had a clearer insight into the
nature and peculiarities of our institutions, and their effect upon
society, than any other foreigner who has written of this country;
and, in endeavoring to explain to his countrymen what he had
studied so carefully and profoundly, he has traced these peculiarities
and their consequences with more clearness, precision, and
minuteness, than any of our own writers have ever done.”

“Few modern books have been read with more interest, and
we may add profit, and few, we feel confident, will continue to
be more often consulted. M. De Tocqueville looked at our country
and its institutions with an intelligence and a discrimination
that were neither warped one way nor the other.” “It is an excellent
work, and much more valuable from the labors of the American
editor. Mr. Spencer's notes are just and judicious, without
exception.” “The publisher has got it up excellently well, and
used a type and paper equal to the value of the work.”

“While we feel pleasure in praising the talents and candor of
M. De Tocqueville, we must not lose sight of the obligations we
are under to Mr. Reeve, who has accomplished in so admirable a
manner the difficult task of rendering in English, not only the
letter, but the spirit of a foreign language. Nor can we do otherwise
than bear testimony to the excellence of the notes and preface
furnished by our talented fellow citizen, Mr. Spencer. It is rare
to meet with a single volume in which so much ability of different
individuals is united. This book ought certainly to be in the
hands of every person who desires to familiarize himself with
the institutions under which he lives. The very superior style of
its mechanical execution, though a consideration of far less importance,
may assist in the introduction of this volume to the
centre table or the library, where, when it has once gained admittance,
we are confident it cannot remain long unperused.”

“We have at length the gratification of perusing an elegant
American edition of this work, which is one of the most profound
and philosophical ever written upon the character and institutions
of our country.”

“The sixth edition of the work has been announced in Paris,
a notice of which we published some weeks since; and it has
been also published, a long time ago, both in England and in
Germany. These facts attest the favor with which the work
has been received. The notes are appropriate and judicious, and
add materially to the value of the edition. Their object is chiefly
for the correction of errors, for the most part unimportant, arising
from inadvertence or misapprehension on the part of the author.
The publication will, without doubt, be an acceptable one to
American readers.”