This history of the 2nd of December will contain, in addition to the general facts, which everybody knows, a very large number of unknown facts which are brought to light for the first time therein.

Several of these facts the author himself saw and touched and passed through; of them he can say: _Quoeque ipse vidi et quorum pars fui._ The members of the Republican Left, whose conduct was so fearless, saw these facts as he did, and he will not lack their testimony.

For all the rest, the author has resorted to a veritable judicial investigation; he has constituted himself, so to speak, the examining magistrate of the performance; every actor in the drama, every combatant, every victim, every witness has deposed before him; for all the doubtful facts, he has brought the opposing declarations, and at need the witnesses, face to face.

As a general rule historians deal with dead facts; they touch them in the tomb with their judicial wands, cause them to rise and question them.

He has dealt with living facts.
All the details of the 2nd of December have in this wise passed before his eyes; he has recorded them all, weighed them all--not one has escaped him.