At the age of three-and-twenty Charles Templeton, my old tutor atOxford, set himself to write a history of the Third French Republic.When I made his acquaintance some thirty years later he hadsatisfactorily concluded his introductory chapter on the origin ofKingship. At his death, three months ago, I understand that his notes onthe precursors of Charlemagne were almost as complete as he desired. "Itis so difficult to know where to start, Mr. Oakleigh," he used to say,as I picked my steps through the litter of notebooks that cumbered histables, chairs and floor.