Note 197 — BOOK VIII[146]

Chateaubriand began to write the Essai in 1794; the work was printed in London in 1796, and published in the beginning of 1797. It formed one volume, large 8vo, of 681 pages, without counting prefaces, tables of contents, etc. The full title ran: Essai historique, politique et moral sur les Révolutions anciennes et modernes, considérées dans leur rapports avec la Révolution françaises. Dédié à tous les partis. With this epigraph: Experti invicem sumus ego et fortuna.—Tacite. And at the foot of the title-page: A Londres: Se trouve chez J. Deboffe, Gerrard-Street; J. Debrett, Piccadilly; Mme. Lowes, Pall-Mall; A. Dulau et Co., Wardour-Street; Bodsey, Broad-Street; et J.-F. Fauche, à Hambourg. The author's name did not appear in the first edition.—B.