Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-26

gard TO France: for from her we differ widely
5oth in our political and moral systems. Ana
in nothing can on acquaintance OF that country
be important in preference to the others nave
named; except that her history. as well as thar
of England, (and as will necessarily be the case
with all countries whose territories are contlgu-
Gus or even remote,) is intimately interviewer
with the events of the several countries OF Eu-
rope; and not to that extent either as would
give the student a knowledge of their partlcu.
lar histories in an Ineligible connected series,
and accurate chronological order, embracing
all the Legislative and minute internal transac-
lions of the country The vast Importance OF the
histories Of these countries, therefore, and OF
reading them separately, it would seem to me,
must be obvious to all, and cannot be reasona-
bly, contradicted. 1t is however, presumptuous
10 oppose an opinion to what Mr.. Jefferson SO
confidently recommends
His animadversions on Hume's history, how
ever severe, are nevertheless consentaneous with
the opinions of. Mr.. Brodie, an author already
becoming celebrated, who, in his review OF that
Historian, ndefatigably labprs TO detect his In
accuracies, and to expose Gas he broadly and
roundly terms them,) his fallen statements; and
endeavors to prove, contrary to what Hume in
genously, seduously, and may add insidiousy
inculcates, flat the Kings of England haze a.
bridged the privileges Of The People, and not that
the People had continually encroached ON the prero-
gutiues of the King. Hume's manifest attach
ment, also, to monarchs, particularly his devo-
ton to the house of Stuart, and sympathy Tor
the fate Of Charles and his teaching that the
English nation should date the principles and
present form Of their constitution and liberty
from the Norman Conquest, and not from the
times Of the Saxon Government, is severely re-
pretended, and controverted by Brodie, and al
luded to in language no less indignant and
sllong by Mr., Jefferson
Many have become proselytes to the opinions
of Mr.. Brodie, and they are extensively pre-
vailing in this country, as well as England.
doubt not but the time approaches, and is not
distant, when that chaste and elegant historian,
Hume, who has been read with increased adj
miration and delight wherever the English lam
guage is understood, or, indeed, wherever the
light Of literature has broken, will be entirely
exploded, and his place supplied in the libra
ries of his present readers and admirers, by
some other. author, less interesting for beauty
of style and philosophic turn of thought, but
more to be credited for correct statement of
facts, and 6rmer support of whig principles.
The letter will, doubt not, be read with that
interest, which the illusions of that great man
never fail to afford manifesting at once, his at
tachment to the principles Of iberty, which he
ever displayed throughout long and useful
public life, and his great solicitude for the ad-
vancement and prosperity of the youth of that
institution, under whose auspices 1t was reared,
and over which be presided as its guardian spi-
rit. and which was to his latest moment the
object of ais fondest care and hopes.
VERULAM.
Marmi0n, King George, Va. Sept 1926.