xviii
LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.
he had already served upwards of half a century, were to terminate only with his life. As a member of the Polish Literary Society at Paris, he delivered speeches, read his various works, and took part in the struggles of the press, on the affairs of Poland, in which that Society was engaged. Niemcewicz, always actively occupied with historical studies regarding his country, established at Paris an Historical Committee,[1] which has already
- ↑ On this occasion, Niemcewiz, already eighty years old, made the following address to his countrymen and companions in exile.
“Loaded with the most cruel misfortunes, since the subjection of our country, persecuted, deprived of our fortunes, reduced to the extremity of living on the bitter bread of foreigners, scattered over the surface of the whole globe, if there is any consolation yet remaining to us, any energy in our adversity, any dignity in our misfortune, we owe it solely to the love of our country, to that guardian and consoling angel which animates our hearts, supports our efforts, and fortifies our hopes.
We left our homes but to serve the interest of our country abroad.—Such is the object of our emigration.
