Primary sourceBook1758
The Spirit of Laws, Translator to the Reader
1758
An English translator's preface to Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws, praising his learning and political insight.
This preface praises Montesquieu's political learning, showing how his reputation was received in England.
About this source
What it is
This is the preface written by the English translator of Montesquieu's The Spirit of Laws, included in the 1758 edition. It praises the author and introduces the work to English readers.
Why it matters
The preface shows how widely Montesquieu's ideas spread across Europe soon after publication. It claims that even a prince learned the art of government from Montesquieu, showing the book's reputation among rulers and thinkers of the time.
Look closer
- Why might a translator want to praise the author before readers even start the book?
- What does the preface suggest about how people in power viewed political philosophy?
- Does praise like this tell us about the book itself, or about its reputation?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Baron de Montesquieu on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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