Sketches of the state of manners and opinions in the French Republic
Contributions
- Helen Maria Williams
- author
- G.G. and J. Robinson (George Robinson)
- publisher
Related resources
- has part
- Political reflections of a Neapolitan republican translation has translation
- has translation
- Aperçu de l’état des moeurs et des opinions dans la République française, vers la fin du XVIII.e siècle translation has paratext
Notes
Collection of letters by Williams commenting on French and Neapolitan politics, as well as extensive extracts from works by Mallet du Pan, François d'Ivernois and someone called 'Pérourou', possibly her brother-in-law. She also includes a 'Notice sur Helvétius' and defence of the French republic against accusations of atheism.
Letter XIV contains several pages of extracts from a memoir of the Neapolitan patriot, Amodio Ricciardi. Letter XXV is a long discussion of the role of women in the new republic.
Appendix to vol.1 includes bilingual presentation of letters from Antonio d’Amato and others to the commander of the English fleet [taken from Ricciardi’s memoir?]; letters of capitulation from the two forts; and letters from the Neapolitan state authorities
Appendix to Vol.2 (no.8, pp.349-52) includes Vincenzo Monti's poem [in Italian only] celebrating Napoleon's victory over the Austrians in Marengo, 'Per la liberazione dell'Italia' ('Ode on the Deliverance of Italy'). This is omitted from the French edition along with most of the rest of the appendix, leaving only a long' reflection on political functions. She introduces Monti as the author of 'Aristodemo', "perhaps the finest piece of the modern Italian theatre" (Vol.1, p.138).