Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Extracts From The Memoirs Of The Life And Writings Of Edward Gibbon, Esq.
' I took my seat at the beginning of the memorable contest between Great Britain and America ; and supported , with many a sincere and silent vote , the rights , though not , perhaps , the interest , of the mother country' . After a fleeting illusive hope , prudence condemned me to acquiesce in the humble station of a mute . I was not armed by nature and education with the intrepid energy of mind and voice .
Vincentem strepitus , et natum rebus age-id ' s . Timidity Was fortified by pride , and even the success of my pen discouraged the trial of my voice . But I assisted at the debates of a free assembly ; I listened to the attack and defence of eloquence and reason ; I had a near prospect of the characters ^ ' views , and passions of the first men of the age . The cause of government was ably
vindicated by Lord North , a statesman of spotless integrity , a consummate master of debate , who could weild , with equal dexterity , the arms of reason , and of ridicule . He was seated on the Treasurybench between his Attorney and Solicitor General , the two pillars of the law and state , magis pares quam similes ; and the minister might indulge in a short slumber , whilst he was upholden on either
hand by the majestic sense of Thitrlow , and the skilful eloquence of Wedderlmrne . From the adverse side of the house an ardent and powerful opposition was supported , by the lively declamation of Bdrre , the legal acuteness of Dunning , the profuse and philosophic fancy of Burke , and the argumentative vehemence of Fox , who , in the conduct of a partyapproved himself equal to the conduct of an empire .
, By such men every operation of peace and war , ever * , * principle of justice or policy , every question of authority and freedom , was attacked and defended ; and the subject of the momentous contest was the union or separation of Great Britain and America . The ei ght sessions that I sat in parliament , were a school of civil prudence , the first and most essential virtue of an historian . "
¦ At the close of the sixth volume of the ' History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire , ' we have an account of the circumstance which first gave our author the idea of beginning that great work . This account he has given in the Memoirs , ; and has added a description of his sensations , on bringing it to a conclusion .
" It »' was at Rome , on the 15 th of October 1764 , as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol , while the barefooted friars were singing vespers in the Temple of Jupiter , that the idea of writing the Decline and Fall of the City first started to my mind . But my original plan was circumscribed to the decay of the City , rather than of the Empire : ancl , though my reading and reflections began to point towards that object , some years elapsedand several avocations
, intervened , before I was seriously engaged in the execution of that laborious work . " " I have presumed to mark the moment of conception ; I shall now commemorate the hour of my final deliverance , lt was on the da }* , or rather night of the 27 th of June 17 S 7 , between the hours of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Extracts From The Memoirs Of The Life And Writings Of Edward Gibbon, Esq.
' I took my seat at the beginning of the memorable contest between Great Britain and America ; and supported , with many a sincere and silent vote , the rights , though not , perhaps , the interest , of the mother country' . After a fleeting illusive hope , prudence condemned me to acquiesce in the humble station of a mute . I was not armed by nature and education with the intrepid energy of mind and voice .
Vincentem strepitus , et natum rebus age-id ' s . Timidity Was fortified by pride , and even the success of my pen discouraged the trial of my voice . But I assisted at the debates of a free assembly ; I listened to the attack and defence of eloquence and reason ; I had a near prospect of the characters ^ ' views , and passions of the first men of the age . The cause of government was ably
vindicated by Lord North , a statesman of spotless integrity , a consummate master of debate , who could weild , with equal dexterity , the arms of reason , and of ridicule . He was seated on the Treasurybench between his Attorney and Solicitor General , the two pillars of the law and state , magis pares quam similes ; and the minister might indulge in a short slumber , whilst he was upholden on either
hand by the majestic sense of Thitrlow , and the skilful eloquence of Wedderlmrne . From the adverse side of the house an ardent and powerful opposition was supported , by the lively declamation of Bdrre , the legal acuteness of Dunning , the profuse and philosophic fancy of Burke , and the argumentative vehemence of Fox , who , in the conduct of a partyapproved himself equal to the conduct of an empire .
, By such men every operation of peace and war , ever * , * principle of justice or policy , every question of authority and freedom , was attacked and defended ; and the subject of the momentous contest was the union or separation of Great Britain and America . The ei ght sessions that I sat in parliament , were a school of civil prudence , the first and most essential virtue of an historian . "
¦ At the close of the sixth volume of the ' History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire , ' we have an account of the circumstance which first gave our author the idea of beginning that great work . This account he has given in the Memoirs , ; and has added a description of his sensations , on bringing it to a conclusion .
" It »' was at Rome , on the 15 th of October 1764 , as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol , while the barefooted friars were singing vespers in the Temple of Jupiter , that the idea of writing the Decline and Fall of the City first started to my mind . But my original plan was circumscribed to the decay of the City , rather than of the Empire : ancl , though my reading and reflections began to point towards that object , some years elapsedand several avocations
, intervened , before I was seriously engaged in the execution of that laborious work . " " I have presumed to mark the moment of conception ; I shall now commemorate the hour of my final deliverance , lt was on the da }* , or rather night of the 27 th of June 17 S 7 , between the hours of