"International law, therefore, as _accumulated in the precedents of diplomatists_, is a parasitical growth upon that tree which has its roots in the hearts of nations, and which may be compared to one of those old oaks under which kings used to sit and administer justice. It was a dream of Dodwell's that the 'law of nations was a divine revelation made to the family preserved in the ark.' In the grotesqueness and wildness of this theory we detect a true idea. The law of nations is an unwritten law, tradited in the memories of the people, or, so far as it is written, to be found in the works of writers on public law, like Grotius, whose authorities, as Sir J. Mackintosh remarks, are in great part, and very properly, made up of the sayings of the poets and orators of the world, 'for they address themselves to the general feelings and sympathies of mankind.' It is in this that the Scriptural saying about the people is so true--'But they will maintain the state of the world.' And it is a just observation, that 'the people are often wrong in their opinions, but in their sentiments rarely.' You may produce state papers and manifestoes, written with all the dexterity of Talleyrand, and the lying tact of Fouché, but you will not convince the people. You have your opportunity. The Liberal press of Europe, at this moment, may be said to be in possession of the whole field of political literature; nevertheless, nothing will prevent its being recorded in history,[10] that Victor Emmanuel in seizing upon the patrimony of St Peter was a robber, and his conquest an usurpation." [7] This article, and perhaps four or five others on miscellaneous subjects, written within a few weeks of the above date, were my only contributions to the _Tablet_, at that time owned and edited by my friend Mr J. E. Wallis, who, during some ten or twelve eventful years, continued to uphold the standard of Tradition, with singular ability and at great personal sacrifice. [8] "All that Bentham wrote on this subject ("International Law") is comprised within a comparatively small compass (Works, vol. ii. 535-560, iii. 200-611, ix. 58-382). But it would be unpardonable to omit all mention of a science which he was the means of _revolutionising_, and which, previously to his taking it in hand, had _not even received a proper distinctive name_."--John Hill Burton, "Benthamiana," p. 396. From Bentham's point of view, "International Law" is the proper distinctive name. [9] Montalembert, _Correspondant_, Aout, 1861.