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.
eider in what a barren field you had to glean and pick up materials , I am trulv astonished at the connected and interesting storyyou have formed . I like the style of these volumes better than that of the first ; there is the same ' beauty ,. richness , and perspecuity of language , with less of that quaintness , " into which your admiration of Tacitus sometimes seduced you . I am highly p leased with the reign of
Julian : I was a little afraid that you mig ht lean with some partiality towards him ; but even bigots , I should think , must allow , that you have delineated his most singular character with a more masterly hand'than ever touched it before . You set me a reading his works , with which I was very slenderly acquainted ; and I am much struck with the felicity wherewith you have described that odd infusion of
heathen fanaticism and p hilosophical coxcombry , which mingled with the great qualities of a hero , and a genius . Your chapter concerning the pastoral nations is admirable ; and , though I hold myself to be a tolerably good general historian , a great part of it was new to me . As soon as I have leisure , I purpose to trace you to your sources of information ; and I have no doubt of finding you as exact there , as I
have found you in other passages where I have made a scrutiny . It was alwaj's my idea , that an historian should feel himself , a witness giving evidence upon oath . I am glad to perceive , by your minute scrupulosity , that your notions are the same . Tlie i :: st chapter in your work is the only one with which I am not entirely satisfied . I imagine you rather anticipa ' e , in describing the jurisprudence and
institutions of the Franks ; and should think that the account of private war , ordeals , chivalry , & c . would have come in more in its place about the age of Charlemagne , or later : but with respect to this , and some other petty criticisms , I will have an opportunity of talking fully to you soon , as , I propose setting , out for London on Monday . I have , indeed , many things to say to you ; and , as my stay in London
is to be very short , I shall hope to find your door ( at which I will be very often ) always open to me . 1 cannot conclude without approving of the caution with which the new volumes are written ; I hope it will exempt you from the illiberal abuse the first volume drew upon j-ou . I ever am , yours , faithfully and affectionate )) -, W . ROBERTSON . "
" SIR WILLIAM JONES to MR . GIBBON . < c Di ; Ajt sm , Lamb's Pmildings , June 30 , I" 8 i . " I have more than once sought , without having been so fortunate as to obtain , a proper opportunity of thanking you very sincerely for tlie elegant compliment which you pay me , in a work abounding iu elegance of all kinds .
" My Seven Arabian Poets will see the fight before next winter , and 'be " proud to wait upon you in their English dress . Their wild productions will , I flatter myself , be thought interesting , and not venerable merely on account of their antiquity .
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.
eider in what a barren field you had to glean and pick up materials , I am trulv astonished at the connected and interesting storyyou have formed . I like the style of these volumes better than that of the first ; there is the same ' beauty ,. richness , and perspecuity of language , with less of that quaintness , " into which your admiration of Tacitus sometimes seduced you . I am highly p leased with the reign of
Julian : I was a little afraid that you mig ht lean with some partiality towards him ; but even bigots , I should think , must allow , that you have delineated his most singular character with a more masterly hand'than ever touched it before . You set me a reading his works , with which I was very slenderly acquainted ; and I am much struck with the felicity wherewith you have described that odd infusion of
heathen fanaticism and p hilosophical coxcombry , which mingled with the great qualities of a hero , and a genius . Your chapter concerning the pastoral nations is admirable ; and , though I hold myself to be a tolerably good general historian , a great part of it was new to me . As soon as I have leisure , I purpose to trace you to your sources of information ; and I have no doubt of finding you as exact there , as I
have found you in other passages where I have made a scrutiny . It was alwaj's my idea , that an historian should feel himself , a witness giving evidence upon oath . I am glad to perceive , by your minute scrupulosity , that your notions are the same . Tlie i :: st chapter in your work is the only one with which I am not entirely satisfied . I imagine you rather anticipa ' e , in describing the jurisprudence and
institutions of the Franks ; and should think that the account of private war , ordeals , chivalry , & c . would have come in more in its place about the age of Charlemagne , or later : but with respect to this , and some other petty criticisms , I will have an opportunity of talking fully to you soon , as , I propose setting , out for London on Monday . I have , indeed , many things to say to you ; and , as my stay in London
is to be very short , I shall hope to find your door ( at which I will be very often ) always open to me . 1 cannot conclude without approving of the caution with which the new volumes are written ; I hope it will exempt you from the illiberal abuse the first volume drew upon j-ou . I ever am , yours , faithfully and affectionate )) -, W . ROBERTSON . "
" SIR WILLIAM JONES to MR . GIBBON . < c Di ; Ajt sm , Lamb's Pmildings , June 30 , I" 8 i . " I have more than once sought , without having been so fortunate as to obtain , a proper opportunity of thanking you very sincerely for tlie elegant compliment which you pay me , in a work abounding iu elegance of all kinds .
" My Seven Arabian Poets will see the fight before next winter , and 'be " proud to wait upon you in their English dress . Their wild productions will , I flatter myself , be thought interesting , and not venerable merely on account of their antiquity .