"At the table of my old friend M.de Foncemagne, I was involved in a dispute with the Abbe de Mably....

As I might be partial in my own cause, I shall transcribe the words of an unknown critic.

'You were, my dear Theodon, at M.de Foncemagne's house, when the Abbe de Mably and Mr.Gibbon dined there along with a number of guests.

The conversation ran almost entirely on history.

The Abbe, being a profound politician, turned it while at dessert on the administration of affairs, and as by genius and temper, and the habit of admiring Livy, he values only the republican system, he began to boast of the excellence of republics, being well persuaded that the learned Englishman would approve of all he said and admire the profoundity of genius that had enabled a Frenchman to discover all these advantages.
But Mr.Gibbon, knowing by experience the inconveniences of a popular government, was not at all of his opinion, and generously took up the defence of monarchy.