AN ALARMING PRECEDENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8376, 24 July 1905, Page 2

AN ALARMING PRECEDENT.

DANGEROUS OUTLOOK FOR

HISTORIANS.

An alarming precedent for historians is being eet by a M. de Bertier do Sauvigny (writes the Paris correspondent of the London " Daily Telegraph,' 7 ). He is suing M. Armand Dayot for alleged libel of his grandfather, Bertier de Sauvigny, steward of the City of Paris, at the outbreak of the first Revolution.

M. Dayot, a well-known and learned writer, is bringing out a series of illus> trated albums on French history, tinder pictures representing Toulon, Comp-troller-General of the Treasury, and Bertier : de Sauvigny, both of whom were hanged on lamp-posts by the people shortly after the taking of- the Bastilie, the letterpress contains a few remarks to the effect that both men richly deserved hanging, Bertier de Sauvigny being in partioular described asa " villain." Henco the action of that personage's grandson.

The historian- has quoted texts from other historians, notably Miehelet, in justification of his remarks, but tho present M. Bertier de Sauvigny will not be mollified, and persists with his suit for libel of his ancestor. The outlook (adds the correspondent) for historians generally is fearful. Who among them has not said disagreeable things about the sea-green incorruptible Robespierre, about Marat, about Judge Jeffreys, about Graham of Claverhouss, and co on? Even Nero may have descendants alive who might sue the heirs of Gibbon's publishers.