language, before they knew what it signified, or whence it was derived, might at first suppose that it was that of a tyrant, who so far surpassed all other known tyrants in perfidy and cruelty, that his name was given to the species of crime for which he was so celebrated. But how much more culpable must he appear, when we learn that he was an individual, who, without interest and without a motive, has only acquired this dreadful renown for having given lessons to despots against the people on the art of rivetting their chains."
This is the popular idea of Machiavel in the breast of the greater portion of mankind, who, "true telegraphs of opinion, repeat without comprehending, and transmit a decision without knowing the meaning, or penetrating the secret."
Machiavelli, indeed, has had the misfortune to be universally calumniated by all. parties and men of all persuasions, and his name has been consecrated to infamy, as. well by those who have read him, as by. those who have not; and at the head of
