ostentatious of his opinions, and becomes rather a philosophical commentator than a skilful historian. So does a greater writer still, Burke, both in his "Account of the European Settlements" and in his masterly "Fragment of English history" but he never is deficient in vivacity and variety. One source of both these excellencies may be found in the judicious practice of borrowing freely from the original writers, and from the documents of the times, altering the expression only by discarding obscure, uncouth, and redundant words.

How striking is this short passage, in a speech of Edward the Fourth to his Parliament ! "The

"injuries that I have received are known every"where and the eyes of the world are fixed upon 66 me to see with what countenance I suffer." If actual events could often be related in this way, there would be more books in circulating libraries than romances and travels.

This lively and graphic style is plainly the best, though now and then the historian's criticism is wanted to support a startling fact, or to explain a

'twas

confused transaction. Thus the learned Rudbeck, in his "Atlantica" ascribing an ancient temple in Sweden to one of Noah's sons, warily adds "probably the youngest " You will, of course, hasten to study his book—it is only in four volumes folio.

I cannot help adding, that if you will read, with a pencil in your hand, more than one celebrated historian, you will be surprised to find yourself marking so many grave observations, worthy of the cautious Swede.

There is one grand incident in our own annals, presenting the means of producing a work at least as interesting and instructive as any public story, ancient or modern. You know that I mean the establishment of American independence. Do I say too much in speaking of this as the principal event in all civil history?

Only think of the magnitude and the nature of the question at issue; of its consequence as an example; of the successful termination of the struggle; of the elevated and accomplished actors both in the United States and in England. The

battle was as much fought at home as abroad; and some of the combatants were the King, Lord Chatham, Lord North, Mr. Burke, Mr. Fox, General Washington, Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Jefferson. Think, too, of the Manifestoes, the Proclamations, the Declaration of Independence, and of the Speeches, which would furnish abler and more authentic examples of eloquence than are found in Thucydides, Livy, or Tacitus. These dramatic documents have always been the allowed and admired ornaments of history.

One surprising instance, equally honourable to the speaker and to the assembly that bore it, is the famous exclamation of Lord Chatham, "My Lords! "I rejoice that America has resisted' Do not forget that this man had been minister, and meant to be minister again.

Oh! how I shall regret if these random thoughts should add to your perplexities, instead of exciting you to burst through them! Not one syllable of our mountain-talk would I have recalled to your recollection, if you had not owned that you had yet to begin.

For my own gratification, I would much rather "Lectures" than "the History," but not

have your

so feel the Public; to whom you have made a

A seat

promise, or are thought to have made one. in the House of Commons, while it must improve your manner, by substituting the tone of business for that of dissertation, will, alas! encroach upon your leisure, and perhaps endanger your health.

When you come hither to restore the latter, pray bring all the papers that you can want, for the barn will hold what the cottage cannot.

The reader cannot but be interested by the following remarkable letter, from the second President of the United States. When that eminent person was Minister at our Court, the author had the good fortune to be much acquainted with him, and mentioned his thoughts of writing an account of the American contest. He afterwards wrote to Mr. Adams, and here is the reply.

H

TO RICHARD SHARP, ESQ. M. P.

Quincy, near Boston, Feb. 27th, 1811.

The

PURSUE your design of writing an History of the "Glorious Struggle" and you will produce a work of much value to the public. I should read it with high expectations but give me leave to suggest that the period you have defined, from 1775 to 1783 was by no means the most important nor the most interesting eight years of the Revolution. Revolution was, in truth, effected in the period from 1761 to 1775. I mean a complete Revolution in the minds of the people: a total change of the opinions and affections of the people, and a full confidence in the practicability of a Union of the Colonies. All this was done and the principles all established and the system matured before the year 1775. The war and the peace followed of course.

There is danger that the war and its termination may mislead other nations into rash enterprises, without the necessary preparation. The object and