Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1848-11-27
MACAULAY'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

The Literary W orld publishes the PREDATORY chapter OF
Macaulay's long expected History which is in the
press of the Messs Harpes. 1t is kind of programme
OF the work.
81 purpose write the History Of Eng land from the
Accession Of King James the Second down toa time
which is within The memory of men sill living shall
recount the errors, which, in few MONTHS alenated
loyal gentry and priesthood from the house of Stuart.
shall trace the course Of that revolution which ermna
ted the long struggle between soveregns and their
parlamenls and bound together the rights of the peo
pie and the iitle Of the reignng dynasty shall relate
now he settlement during many troubled years
successfully defended against foreign and domestic
mics; how under that settlement, the authority OF law
and the security of property We're found TO be compatible
with liberty of discussion and ofindividua action
before KNOWN how, from the suspicious union of order
and freedom spang prosperity Of which the annals OF
human affairs had furnished example; how our coun
try, from of gnomnious vassalage rapidly 10
the place of umpire among European powers how her
opuence and her mar ia glory grew together; how by
wise and resoule good faith gradually established
public credit fruitful Of marves which 10 the statesmen
of former age would have seemed incredible; how
gigantic commerce gave birth to maritime power cons
pared with which every other power ancient or modern
sinks into nsgncance; how Scotland after ages Of enm
ty, at length unedto England, not merely by legal
bonds but by indSsolu5e ties OF Interest and aifrcon
how in America the British colonies rapidly became far
mghrier and wealihier than the realms which CUrtez
and Pzarro had added to the domnons of Charles the
Fifth; how in Asia British adventures founded an en-
pre not less splendid and durable than that Of AL
| exander.
Nor will it be less my duty faithfully to record dsas
tiers mingled with trumphs, with great national crimes
and olles far mere Illuminating than any disaster. 1t
will be seen that we justly account chief blessings
without alloy 1t will be that the sys
TEN which effecuay secured our liberties against the
encroachrnent If kngy power gave birth to new class
of abuses from which absolute mona rchles exempt
1t will be that in consequence partly of unwse
reference, and partly of unwse neglect the increase of
wealth, the extension of trade produced, together with
immense good, evils from which and rude So
cleties free II will be how in two important
dependencies the crown, wrong was followed by just
re,rbution how mprudence and obstnacv broke the ties
which bolnd the North Amec colonies to the parent
state; how Ireland cursed by the domination of race
race and of religion religion, remained indeed
member Of the empire, but withered and distorted
member. adding strength TO the body polite; and re
PEACEFULLY pointed at by all who feared envied the
greatness of ENGLAND
Yet unless greatly deceive myself the general efec
of this chequered narrative will be excite thankful
ness in all religious minds and no pc in the breast of all
patriots. For the history of our country for the last hun
dred and sixty emnenty the history physical
Of moral and intellectual improvement. Ihose VIII,
compare the age which their lot has fallen with
golden age which exist only in their imagination, may
talk ofdegeneracy and decay but who is correct
ly Informed as to the past will be disposed to take
rose or responding view of the present.
81 should very perfectly execute the task which
have undertaken, i'll merely to treat of battles
seges, of the rise and fall of the administrations of
tgues in the palace and of debates in the parliament
1t will be my endeavor relate the history the people
as well the history Of the government, to trace the
progress of useful and ornamental to describe the rist
of religious and the changes of literary aste TO por
tray the of successive generations and not L
pass by with neglect the revolutions which have
taken place in dress, furniture epass, and public enter
tanmenls shall cheerully bear the reproach ofhav
inc descended below he dignity Of history If | can sue
ceed in placing before the English of the l9h century
a true picture Of he life other ancestors The events
which propose relate form only single act OF a
great and evenifu drama extending through ages and
must be very inperfeclv understood, unless the plot of
The proceeding acts be well known shall therefore
introduce my narrative by slight sketch OF the history
of our country from the earliest times. shall pass very
rapidly over many centuries but shall dwell a, some
nrh on The vicissudes Of that contest which The ad-
ministraton of King James the Second brought to de
cislve cIlSIS.