As may be supposed from this, I had previously a very vague idea of that great commotion.

I knew only that the French had thrown off the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV.

and XV., had put the King and Queen to death, guillotined many persons, one of whom was Lavoisier, and had ultimately fallen under the despotism of Bonaparte.
From this time, as was natural, the subject took an immense hold of my feelings.

It allied itself with all my juvenile aspirations to the character of a democratic champion.

What had happened so lately, seemed as if it might easily happen again: and the most transcendent glory I was capable of conceiving, was that of figuring, successful or unsuccessful, as a Girondist in an English Convention.
During the winter of 1821-2, Mr.John Austin, with whom at the time of my visit to France my father had but lately become acquainted, kindly allowed me to read Roman law with him.