The Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon, Esq

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

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by a minute narrative of their sentiments and pursuits, as Mr. Gibbon will here be found to have done; not with study and labour→→ not with an affected frankness but with a genuine confession of his little foibles and peculiarities, and a good-humoured and natural display of his own conduct and opinions.

Mr. Gibbon began a Journal, a work distinct from the sketches already mentioned, in the early part of his Life, with the following declaration:

"I propose from this day, August 24th, 1761, to keep an exact Journal of my actions and studies, both to assist my memory, and I shall begin by to accustom me to set a due value on my time. setting down some few events of my past life, the dates of which I can remember."

This industrious project he pursued occasionally in French, under various titles, and with the minuteness, fidelity, and liberality of a mind resolved to watch over and improve itself.

The Journal is continued under different titles, and is sometimes very concise, and sometimes singularly detailed. One part of it is entitled "My Journal," another, "Ephemerides, or Journal of The other parts are entitled, my Actions, Studies, and Opinions." "Ephemerides, ou Journal de ma Vie, de mes Etudes, et de mes Sentimens." In this Journal, among the most trivial circumstances, are mixed very interesting observations and dissertations on a satire of Juvenal, a passage of Homer, or of Longinus, or of any other author whose works he happened to read in the course of the day; and he often passes from a remark on the most common event, to a critical disquisition of considerable learning, or an enquiry into some abstruse point of philosophy.

It certainly was not his intention that this private and motley Diary should be presented to the public; nor have I thought myself at liberty to present it, in the shape in which he left it. But by reducing it to an account of his literary occupations, it formed so singular and so interesting a portrait of an indefatigable student, that I persuade myself it will be regarded as a valuable acquisition by the literary world, and as an accession of fame to the memory of my friend. With the Extracts from Mr. Gibbon's Journal will be printed his Dissertations, entitled "Extraits raisonnés de mes Lectures;" and "Recueil de mes Observations, et A few other passages from Pieces détachées sur différens Sujets." other parts of the Journals, introduced in Notes, will make a curious addition to the Memoirs.

His first publication, "Essai sur l'Etude de la Littérature," with corrections and additions from an interleaved copy which my friend gave to me several years ago, is reprinted as part of these volumes.

Three more of his smaller publications are also reprinted. 1. His masterly Criticism on the Sixth Book of Virgil, in answer to Bishop Warburton. 2. His own Vindication of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Chapters of his History, in answer to Mr. Davis and others. And 3. His "Réponse à l'Exposé de la Cour de France,"-an occasional composition, which obtained the highest applause in foreign

courts, and of which he spoke to me with some pleasure, observing that it had been translated even into the Turkish language.

Of these various writings the Author has spoken himself, in describing his own Life. I have yet to notice some articles not mentioned in his Memoirs, and which will be found in this publication. 1. A juvenile sketch, entitled, "Outlines of the History of the World." 2. A Dissertation, which he had shown to a few friends, on that curious subject, "L'Homme au Masque de Fer." 3. A more considerable work, "The Antiquities of the House of Brunswick;" an historical discourse, composed about the year 1790. In this work he intended to appropriate separate books: 1. To the Italian descent; 2. To the Germanic reign: and, 3. To the British Succession of the House of Brunswick. The manuscript closes in completing the Italian branch of his subject.

Among the most splendid passages of that unfinished work may be enumerated the characters of Leibnitz and Muratori; a sketch of Albert-Azo the Second, a prince who retained his faculties and reputation beyond the age of one hundred years; an account of Padua and its university; and remarks on the epic glory of Ferrara.

The last paper of this volume has the mournful attraction of being a sketch interrupted by death, and affords an honourable proof that my friend's ardour for the promotion of historical knowledge attended him to the last. It is entitled merely "An Address;" and expresses a wish that our Latin memorials of the middle ages, the "Scriptores Rerum Anglicarum," may be published in England, in a manner worthy of the subject, and of the country. He mentions Mr. John Pinkerton as a person well qualified for the conduct of such a national undertaking.

In the collection of writings which I am now sending to the press, there is no article that will so much engage the public attention as the Memoirs. I will therefore close all I mean to say as their editor, by assuring the reader, that, although I have in some measure newly arranged those interesting papers, by forming one regular narrative from the six different sketches, I have nevertheless adhered with scrupulous fidelity to the very words of their author; and I use the letter S. to mark such notes of my own, as it seemed necessary to add.

It remains only to express a wish, that in discharging this latest office of affection, my regard to the memory of my friend may appear, as I trust it will do, proportioned to the high satisfaction which I enjoyed for many years in possessing his entire confidence, and very partial attachment.

Sheffield Place, 6th Aug. 1795.

SHEFFIELD.

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THE Author's Introduction

Account and anecdotes of his family

South Sea scheme, and the bill of pains and penalties against the Directors;
among whom was the Author's grandfather

Character of Mr. William Law

Mr. Gibbon's birth; he is put under the care of Mr. Kirkby; some account of

Mr. Kirkby

The Author is sent to Dr. Wooddeson's school, whence he is removed on the

death of his mother.-Affectionate observations on his aunt, Mrs. Catharine

Porten

Is entered at Westminster school; is removed on account of ill health, and after-
wards placed under the care of the Rev. Mr. Francis

Enters a Gentleman Commoner at Magdalen College, Oxford.-Remarks on that

University. Some account of Magdalen College.-Character of Dr. Waldegrave,

Mr. Gibbon's first tutor

The Author determines to write a history; its subject.—Solution of a chronolo-
gical difficulty. Mr. Gibbon is converted to the Roman Catholic religion; cites
the examples of Chillingworth and Bayle; their characters.—Mr. Gibbon obliged
to leave Oxford.-Farther remarks on the University

The Author is removed to Lausanne, and placed under the care of Mr. Pavilliard.

-Reflections on his change of situation.-Character of Mr. Pavilliard, and an

account of his manner of restoring Mr. Gibbon to the Protestant Church.—Mr.

Gibbon received the sacrament in the church of Lausanne on Christmas-day,

1754

The Author's account of the books he read, and of the course of study he pur-
sued

Mr. Gibbon makes the tour of Switzerland; forms a correspondence with several
literary characters; is introduced to Voltaire, and sees him perform several
characters in his own plays.-Remarks on his acting

Some account of Mademoiselle Curchod, (afterwards Madame Necker).—Reflec-

tions on his education at Lausanne; he returns to England; his manner of

spending his time.

Mr. Gibbon publishes his first work, Essai sur l'Etude de la Littérature.—Some
observations on the plan and the character of the performance.-Character of
Dr. Maty

The Author's manner of passing his time in the Hampshire militia, and reflections

upon it

Mr. Gibbon resumes his studies; determines to write upon some historical subject;

considers various subjects, and makes remarks upon them for that purpose.-

Sees Mallet's Elvira performed.-Character of that play

The Author passes some time at Paris, gives an account of the persons with whom
he chiefly associated; proceeds through Dijon and Besançon to Lausanne.—
Characterises a society there, called La Societé du Printemps.-Becomes ac-
quainted with Mr. Holroyd, now Lord Sheffield.-Remarks on their meeting. 71

Some account of Mr. Gibbon's studies at Lausanne, preparatory to his Italian

journey. He travels into Italy; his feelings and observations upon his arrival

at Rome. He returns to England.-His reflections upon his situation.-Some

account of his friend, Mr. Deyverdun.-He writes, and communicates to his

friends, an historical Essay upon the Liberty of the Swiss.-Their unfavourable

judgment. Mr. Hume's opinion

Mr. Gibbon and Mr. Deyverdun engage in a periodical work, intended as a con-

tinuation of Dr. Maty's Journal Britannique; intitled, Memoires Littéraires de

la Grande Bretagne.-Account of the work.-Mr. Gibbon publishes his Observa-

tions on the Sixth Æneid of Virgil, in opposition to Bishop Warburton's hypo-

thesis. Mr. Heyne's and Mr. Hayley's opinions of that Essay.-Mr. Gibbon

determines to write the History of the Decline and Fall.-His preparatory