The next foreign edition conferred a singular distinction upon the author: it was a translation into Chinese, executed and published in 1864, under the auspices of the Imperial Government. See note 8.
In 1855, an edition, which has always been called the sixth edition (counting the French editions as the fourth and fifth), was prepared in Boston, with notes by Mr. W. B. Lawrence.
In 1863, the seventh edition was published in Boston, also with notes by Mr. Lawrence.
The present is therefore the eighth edition. The notes of Mr. Lawrence do not form any part of this edition. It is confined, as has been said, to the text and notes of the author, and the notes of the present editor, who undertakes his work at the request of the widow of Mr. Wheaton, recently deceased, and of his only surviving children, his daughters.
Adhering to the course proposed, no attempt is made to discuss the character of this work, or to enter upon an examination of the more strictly literary labors of the distinguished jurist; still less, to report the tributes which have been paid to him by bodies politic, literary and scientific societies, or eminent individuals. Yet, among the honors his memory has received, one may be selected for mention, as peculiarly gratifying. His native State has resolved to place his statue in the Capitol of the Union, as one of the two assigned to it in the gallery of the public men of America.
The son of Mr. Wheaton, who gave so fair promise of continuing the honor of his name in another generation, survived him but a few years. Yet it is hoped that too
