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Lectures on Modern history
The Project Gutenberg eBook, Lectures on Modern history, by Baron John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton
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Title: Lectures on Modern history
Author: Baron John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton
Release Date: June 26, 2006 [eBook #18685]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LECTURES ON MODERN HISTORY***
E-text prepared by Geoffrey Cowling
LECTURES ON MODERN HISTORY
by
LORD ACTON (JOHN EMERICH EDWARD DALBERG-ACTON)
INAUGURAL LECTURE
ON THE STUDY OF HISTORY
Delivered at Cambridge, June 1895
FELLOW STUDENTS--I look back today to a time before the middle of the century, when I was reading at Edinburgh and fervently wishing to come to this University. At three colleges I applied for admission, and, as things then were, I was refused by all. Here, from the first, I vainly fixed my hopes, and here, in a happier hour, after five-and-forty years, they are at last fulfilled.
I desire, first, to speak to you of that which I may reasonably call the Unity of Modern History, as an easy approach to questions necessary to be met on the threshold by any one occupying this place, which my predecessor has made so formidable to me by the reflected lustre of his name.
You have often heard it said that Modern History is a subject to which neither beginning no