burke_precis.txt

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=       Precis of Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France
=
=  Page numbers in square brackets, e.g. [3], following J.C.D. Clark's 
=  convention in his critical edition of Reflections, refer to the page 
=  numbers in the first edition of Burke's Reflections.
============================================================================

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Pauk & Owens, How to Study in College, 10ed.

In Chap. 5, p. 117, the authors quote (without giving any source) Lord Macaulay 
as saying:

  At the foot of every page I read I stopped and obliged myself to give an 
  account of what I had read on that page. At first I had to read it three 
  or four times before I got my mind firmly fixed. But I compelled myself 
  to comply with the plan, until now, after I have read a book through once, 
  I can almost recite it from the beginning to the end.
============================================================================


=====================
Origins of the work:

================
p. [1] para. 1:

description(n.):
OED 3b, a sort, species, kind, or variety, capable of being so described.

===============================
==  precis of p. [1] para. 1:
===============================
Dear Sir, --- You sent me a second letter asking for my thoughts on the 
lastest proceedings in France. The first letter I wrote for
you and for you only, so shall I be in this one.

[Alternative]: You sent me a second letter asking for my thoughts on the latest
proceedings in France. I do not think my opionions to be so valuable to be made
public, and I am writing this second letter (just like the first one) for your
eyes only.

===============================
==  precis of p. [1] para. 2:
===============================
Although I wish that France may enjoy a rational liberty, yet I have some doubts
concerning several things of the latest transactions in France.

===============================
==  precis of p. [2] para. 1:
===============================
You imagined that I would heartily approve the latest events in France,
because it had received sanctions from two London clubs: the Constitutional 
Society and the Revolution Society.

================
p. [2] para. 2:
(1) I belong to several clubs which hold the Constitution and the principles of
    the Glorious Revolution in high reverence.
(2) I count myself as most zealous for maintaining those things in their purity
    and vigor. 
(3) Because of (1) and (2), there should be no mistake [of what?].
(4) We should take good care to separate us from those distractors of the
    constitutional principles.
(5) I will give you an overview of the two societies [which fit in (4)].
(6) I am not, and have never been, a member of either of those societies.

===============================
==  precis of p. [2] para. 2:
===============================
I had the honour to belong to several clubs which treasure our Constitution and
the principles of the Glorious Revolution (in 1688), but I am not, and have
never been, a member of either of the afore said societies. Before I proceed to
other things, let me first give you some information about these two clubs.

================
p. [3] para. 1:
(1) The first club is called the Constitutional Society, or Society for
    Constitutional Information, which has existed for seven or eight years.
(2) The main purpose of the club is to circulate books which are not very
    desirable out of the club.
(3) Some of those books may have been exported to France and made some impact
    there.
(4) But I have never heard any praise on either the publications or the 
    proceedings of this club.

===============================
==  precis of p. [3] para. 1:
===============================
The first club, called the Constitutional Society, has existed for seven or 
eight years. Its main purpose is to circulate books which are not very
desirable outside the club, and some may have been exported to France and made
an impact there. But I have never heard any praise on either the publications or
the proceedings of the club.

================
p. [4] para. 1:

equity:
OED I.1: The quality of being equal or fair; fairness, impartiality; evenhanded
dealing.

(1) The National Assembly (of France) has reserved their attention to the second
    club: the Revolution Society.
(2) The Constitutional Society deserves some credit from the National Assembly.
(3) This club was adopted by the National Assemby, and they returned the favor
    by acting as a committe in England for extending the principles of the
    National Assembly.
(4) This revolution has given splendor to obscurity and distinction to
    undiscerned merit.
(5) The Revolution Society is little known before this.
(6) The members of this club gathered every year at the anniversarity of the
    Glorious Revolution, heard a sermon, then spent the rest of the day in the
    tavern.
(7) I never heard any public measure or political system discussed by this club.
(8) I was shocked to hear the authorative sanction from this club to the
    proceedings of the National Assembly in France.

================================
==  precis of p. [4] para. 1:
================================
The National Assembly (of France) had reserved their attention to the second
club (the Revolution Society) by adopting them, and they returned the favor by
acting as a committe in England for extending the principles of the National
Assembly. This club is little known before this, and I have not heard any public 
measure or political system been discussed in this club, thus I was shocked by
hearing the authorative sanction from the club to the proceedings of the National 
Assembly in France.

================
p. [5] para. 1:

take exception: 
OED 7.c., to make (an) objection, to object or complain (that).

management:
OED 2.a. The use of contrivance, prudence, or ingenuity for effecting some
purpose; often in unfavourable sense, implying deceit or trickery.

(1) I do not object the ancient principles and conduct of the club.
(2) It is probable that some new members have joined the club for some purpose; 
    and some Christian politicians may have with contrivance used these 
    principles for their own purposes.
(3) Though I suspect that there is much private manoeuvre, I will only speak
    about public issues of this club.

================================
==  precis of p. [5] para. 1:
================================
//This strange proceeding may be done by members who joined the club to advance
//their own purposes. In spite of this, I will from now on only talk about public
//issues of the club.
I have no problem with the ancient principles of the club. It is probable some
new members were used by certain Christian politicians to advance their own
agenda. In spite of this, I will from now on only speak of the public dealings
of the club.

================
p. [5] para. 2:

to be concerned:
OED III.11a. (of word "concern"), To be in a relation or practical connection
with; to have to do with; to have a part or share in; to be engaged in, with.

(1) I should be sorry to be connected with this club.
(2) I have speculated public policies of ancient and modern nations in private.
(3) I think it improper and irregular to open a formal public correspondence
    with a foreign government.

================================
==  precis of p. [5] para. 2:
================================
Although I have speculated in private on the policies of ancient and modern 
nations, I think it improper and irregular to open a formal public
coorespondence with a foreign government (as a private citizen).

================
p. [6] para. 1:

equivocal(a.):
OED 2. Of words, phrases, etc.: Having different significations equally
appropriate or plausible; capable of double interpretation; ambiguous.

instrument:
OED 5.a. Law. A formal legal document whereby a right is created or confirmed,
or a fact recorded; a formal writing of any kind, as an agreement, deed,
charter, or record, drawn up and executed in technical form, so a to be of legal
validity.

(1) I should be more unwilling to enter into a correspondence which would trick
    others to think that it is from an official source.
(2) The house of commons would reject all kinds of ambiguous petitions which 
    your National Assembly had accepted from this society.
(3) If what the society sent out had been a piece of argument, it does not
    matter who wrote it.
(4) The declaration from this society is done by vote and resolution, and bears
    few signatures.
(5) Their signatures ought to be annexed to their document, so that we can know
    their identity, social status, experience, and authority.
(6) To me, the proceeding looks like a political stratagem to give their public
    declaration an importance they did not deserve.

================================
==  precis of p. [6] para. 1:
================================
I should be more unwilling to enter into a correspondence under an equivocal
description which might trick others to think that it comes from an official
source. This kind of petitions will be firmly rejected by the House of
Commons, but in this case it had been accepted with open arms by your National
Assembly. Since the declaration from this society is done by vote and 
resolution, the signatures of all their participants should be annexed, so that 
we can decide whether they possess such an authority. To me, the proceeding
looks like a political stratagem to give their public declaration an undeserved
importance.

================
p. [7] para. 1:

(1) I love a manly, moral, regulated liberty.
(2) However I do not envy the liberty in other nations.
(3) I cannot give judgment to human actions and human concerns based only on 
    the abstract view of the object.
(4) Circumstances give in reality to every political principle its
    distinguishing color and discriminating effect.
(5) Examples of things which might be good/bad under different circumstances.

================================
==  precis of p. [7] para. 1:
================================
Although I love a manly, moral, regulated liberty, I do not envy the liberty in
other nations. I cannot give judgment to human actions and concerns based only
on the abstract view. Circumstances give in reality to every political principle
its distinguishing color and discriminating effect. Abstractedly speaking,
government and liberty is good, but I could not really congratulate France for
her government ten years ago or her liberty now, without a carefully look of 
the circumstances then and now.

================
p. [8] para. 1:

principle(n.):
OED I. Origin, source; source of action.

Considerations before making judgment on liberty:

(1) We should not make our judgment till we see somewhat more clearly how 
    things would ensue.
(2) The liberty of France will not be secure till it is combined with
    government, with public force, with the discipline and obedience of armies,
    with the collection of an effective and well-distributed revenue, with
    morality and religion, ...
(3) Liberty for an individual means to do whatsoever he wants, but liberty for
    men act in bodies means power.
(4) Considerate people would not declare liberty until they see clearly the
    principles, tempers, and dispositions of the (new) people in (new) power.

================================
==  precis of p. [8] para. 1:
================================
We should not rush our judgment till we see somewhat more clearly what would
ensue. Thus I would not congratulate France on her liberty till it is combined
with government, with public force, and other good things. Liberty for an
individual means to do whatsoever he wants, but liberty for men acting in bodies
means power. Thus considerate people would not declare liberty till they see
clearly the principles, tempers, and dispositions of the new people in new
power.

================
p. [10] para. 1:

apprehension:
OED 12. Fear as to what may happen; dread.

(1) I got the publication of the Revolution Society with Dr. Price's sermon and
    several other documents annexed.
(2) Their writings, trying to connect the affairs of France with that of
    England, and advocating in England to imitate the conduct of the National
    Assemby, make me quite uneasy.
(3) The situation in France is becoming more clear by time.
(4) Time is ripe for me to express my thoughts on the French Revolution.

================================
==  precis of p. [10] para. 1:
================================
After reading the publication of the Revolution Society with Dr. Price's sermon
(and several other documents), I was disquieted by their advocation of imitating
the conduct of the National Assembly here in England. Now the effect of that
conduct on France is becoming more clear, time is ripe for me to express
my thoughts on the French Revolution.

================
p. [11] para. 1:

(1) I would like to communicate my thoughts to a larger audience.
(2) I will continue using the epistolary form and will pay little attention to
    formal method.
(3) The French Revolution is the most astonishing event in the world.
(4) It is a monstrous tragi-comedy.

================================
==  precis of p. [10] para. 1:
================================
I would like to communicate my thoughts to a larger audience and will continue
to use the epistolary form. I will start with the affairs concerning the
Revolution Society, but will move on to the French Revolution itself, which is
the most astonishing event ever happened in the world. 

================================
==  precis of p. [12] para. 1:
================================
Some other people treated the French Revolution with exultation and rapture.

================
p. [12] para. 2:

reek:
OED 2.b, To emit hot vapour or steam; to smoke with heat; to exhale vapour (or
fog). Of persons and animals in a heated and perspiring state.

The resolution of the Revolution Society to the National Assembly originated
from a sermon by Dr. Richard Price given on Nov. 4th last year.

================================
==  precis of p. [12] para. 2:
================================
On November 4th last year, Dr. Richard Price, a famous non-conforming minister, 
preached a miscellaneous sermon, whereof the central topic was the Revolution in
France. This I believe was the origin of the resolution of the Revolution
Society transmitted to the National Assembly of France.

================================
==  precis of p. [13] para. 1:
================================
In my opinion, this sermon is the public declaration of a well-connected
nonconformist.

oracle:
OED 7. A person of great wisdom or knowledge, whose opinions or decisions are
generally accepted; an authority reputed or affecting to be infallible.

philippize:
OED To favor, or take the side of,Philip of Macedon; also gen. to speak or write
as one is corruptly 'inspired' or influenced.

================
p. [13] para. 2:

(1) Dr. Price's sermon was in a pulpit style no longer used and showed little 
    moderation.
(2) A church is not the place for preaching political agenda.

strain:
OED 9.b. A kind, class, or grade (of things). Obs.

fetter:
OED 1. A chain or shackle for the feet of a human being or animal; hence gen. a
bond, shackle. (rare in sg.)

================================
==  precis of p. [13] para. 2:
================================
Dr. Price's sermon was in a pulpit style no longer used in this country and
showed little moderation. Even if it did, a church is the place for charity
and should not be used for preaching political agendas.

================
p. [14] para. 1:

hortus siccus
garden dry

polemic:
OED A. Of or pertaining to controversy; controversial, disputatious.

stipulate:
OED 4. intr. To make an express demand for something as a condition of
agreement.

(1) Dr. Price's pulpit style showed a dangerous novelty.
(2) Dr. Price advised non-conformists to set up their own churches.
(3) This is strange as Dr. Price does not seem to care about what doctrine is
preached in those new churches.
(4) It is unlikely such a system will produce any religion rational and manly.

================================
==  precis of p. [14] para. 1:
================================
This new pulpit style of Dr. Price's shows a dangerous novelty. Dr. Price advised 
the non-conformists to set up their own churches, but he did not seem to care 
what doctrine should be preached in them. In my opinion, it is unlikely such a
system will produced the religion rational and manly as Dr. Price had claimed.

================
p. [16] para. 1:

Utinam   nugis        tota illa dedisset tempora saevitiae:
if only! (to) trifles all       give up  time    (of) violence 

fulminating,
OED 2. fig. That thunders or hurls forth censures, denunciations, or the like;
also, that is thundered forth.

innoxious
OED 1. Not noxious or hurtful; harmless, innocuous.

anathema:
OED I.1. Any thing accursed, or consigned to damnation.

(1) Dr. Price proclaimed (in his sermon) that George III is the only lawful 
king in the world, because he is the only one who owes his crown to the 
choice of the people.
(2) It is important for us to consider seriously the validity of these
propositions.

================================
==  precis of p. [16] para. 1:
================================
Dr. Price proclaimed (in his sermon) that George III is the only lawful 
king in the world, because he is the only one who owes his crown to the 
choice of the people. It is thus important for us to consider seriously 
the validity of these propositions.

================
p. [17] para. 1:

Condo     et compono     quae mox  depromere passim.
(I) amass    (I) arrange so   soon to fetch  every where

policy:
OED I.3. Political sagacity; prudence, skill, or consideration of expediency in
the conduct of public affairs; statecraft, diplomacy; in bad sense, political
cunning.

whilst:
=while OED B.2.a. As long as, so long as (implying 'provided that', 'if only').
..., whilst the king of Great Britain was not affected by it.

soothe:
OED 4.a. To confirm, encourage, or humour (a person) in something by expressing
assent or approval.

reservation:
OED 3.a. The action or factor of reserving (for oneself or another) some right,
power, priviledge, etc.; a right, etc., thus reserved.

security:
OED I.2. Freedom from doubt; confidence, assurance. Now chiefly, well-founded
confidence, certainty.

(1) This doctrine, as applied to the present king of Britain, is either
nonsense, or unfounded, dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional.
(2) The king of Britain does not owe his crown to any form of popular election.
(3) Dr. Price hopes to propogate his doctrine without affecting the English
king.


================================
==  precis of p. [17] para. 1:
================================
This doctrine, as applied to the present king of Britain, is either nonsense, or
unfounded, dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional. George III surely does not 
owe his crown to any form of popular election; so according to Dr. Price's
doctrine, his Majesty is not a lawful king. It seems that Dr. Price hopes to
propogate his doctrine without people noticing this contradiction.

================
p. [18] para. 1:

subterfuge:
OED 1. An artifice or device to which a person resorts in order to escape the
force of an argument, to avoid condemnation or censure, or to justify his
conduct; an evasion or shift. Chiefly of discourse, argument, debate, but also
of action in general.

nugatory:
OED 1. Trifling, of no value or importance, worthless.

(1) Dr. Price and his people may argue that some of the king's predecessors have
been called to the throne by some sort of choice, thus he owes his crown to the
choice of the people.
(2) This interpretation of the idea of election is not very different from our 
idea of inheritance.
(3) At some time or other, all the beginners of dynasties were chosen by those
who called them to govern, thus elective.
(4) Despite of whatsoever origin, the king of Britain today is chosen by a fixed
rule of succession, according to the laws.
(5) The Revolution Society has no vote for the king, either the current one or 
any future ones.

================================
==  precis of p. [18] para. 1:
================================
Dr. Price and his followers might argue that what they actually mean is that
some of the king's predecessors have been called to the throne by some sort of
choice, thus he owes his crown to the choice of the people. This interpretation
of the idea of election is not very different from our idea of inheritance.
Surely, at some time, all the founders of dynasties were chosen by those who
called them to govern. But despite whatsoever origin of the crown, the king of
Britain today is chosen by a fixed rule of succession, according to the laws of
the country. The Revolution Society (to their contempt) has no vote for the 
present king, nor will they for any future ones.

================
p. [20] para. 1:

bottom:
OED 2.c. intr. (for refl.) To rest as upon a foundation; to be based, grounded.
lit. and fig.

(1) Nothing can evade their declaration concerning the principle of a right in 
the people to choose.
(2) Their insinuation of election is based on the principle of a right in the
people to choose their kings.
(3) Dr. Price claims that the people have a right (1) "to choose our own 
governors"; (2) "to cashier them for misconduct"; (3) "to frame a government 
for ourselves."
(4) The people have nothing to do with this unheard-of bill of rights.

================================
==  precis of p. [20] para. 1:
================================
Nothing can evade their declaration concerning the principle of a right in 
the people to choose. Their insinuation of election is based on this propostion.
Dr. Price claims that the people have a right (1) "to choose our own 
governors"; (2) "to cashier them for misconduct"; (3) "to frame a government 
for ourselves." This unheard-of bill of rights the people of England want 
nothing to do with.

================
p. [21] para. 1:

(1) These gentlemen confound together the three revolutions, i.e. the English 
Revolution of the 1640s, the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and the French 
Revolution.
(2) We should separate what they confound.
(3) The principles of the Revolution of 1688 can be found in the statute called
the Declaration of Right (i.e. Bill of Rights), in which none of the rights 
claimed by Dr. Price is either said or suggested.

================================
==  precis of p. [21] para. 1:
================================
These gentlemen confound together the three revolutions (the English Revolution
of the 1640s, the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and the French Revolution), which
we shall separate. The principles of the Revolution of 1688 can be found in the
Declaration of Right (i.e. Bill of Rights), in which none of the rights claimed
by Dr. Price is either declared or suggested.

================================
==  precis of p. [21] para. 2:
================================
This Declaration of Right is the cornerstone of our constitution, and it binds
the rights of the subject with the succession of the crown indissolubly 
together.

================
p. [22] para. 1:

(1) A few years after this period, the succession of the crown again came into
the legislature.
(2) They followed the principle of the Declaration of Right to settle the
succession of the crown, indicating with more precision on the Protestant line.








================
p. [] para. 1:

================================
==  precis of p. [] para. 1:
================================