Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-04-06
NUMBER ID.
For the OXFORD DEMOCRAT.
EMINENT HISTORIANS.
GIBBON.
By REV. LAuRIsToN REYNOLDS.

| One of the most massive and at the
same time permanently valuable produc-
tions of human genius and industry. is
Gibbons History Of the Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire"
Any work to survive the flight Of one
hundred years must have merit. This,
Gibbons Rome has done; and perhaps no
greater tribute could be paid to his indus
try and ability, than to refer to the fact,
that during century research and prog
ress, there has been no demand for anoth-
er work covering the same period. Ed
ward Gibbon was born in England, at
Putney, in Surrey, April 81, 1897. He
was child Of feeble health, but early
showed that he possessed an active brain
and keen intellect. He became an indis-
criminate devourer of books, ultimately
showed a prediction for historical
works. His preparatory studies were
persued under private teacher, and at
the age of fifteen he was placed in Magda-
len College, Oxford. Gibbon, himself.
says that he arrived at Oxford with a
stock of erudition that would have puz-
zled doctor, and degree of ignorance,
of which school-boy would have been
ashamed. His stay at college was neith-
er long nor profitable. In reading the
works of the Jesuits, he became convert
to the Roman Catholic faith, went to Lon
don, and at the feet of priest "adjured
the errors Of heresy."
His father for the purpose Of retaining
him sent him to Lausanne, Switzerland,
where he remained several years under the
charge of Mr.. Pavilliard, Calvinist cler-
gyman, under whose judicious manage
ment he was induced to return to the bos-
ON of the Protestant church; at which
point he says he suspended all religious
enquiries, resting in those beliefs common
to both Catholics and Protestants.
Still later it would seem that even these
were undermined by French philosophy;
while he did not become an avowed inf
del, he was undoubtedly such at heart
and his great and otherwise matchless
work is marred by his attitude Of hos
tility to Christianity; and while he is en-
inently fair, or if impartial, eulogistically
so, toward the Romans, Mohammedans
and barbarians, he always looks down up
on the Christians in their struggles, per-
secutions and successes, in spirit of cold
criticism, never once recognizing the de-
vine origin Of Christianity, neglecting no
opportunity of ''supping solemn creed
with solemn sneer," and showing that the
glories Of Christianity touch no chord in
his heart. Yet, with all that he has done
in the way of unfairness and opposition,
Gibbons Rome is not dangerous reading.
No one with a well grounded faith in
Christianity, would ever be moved with
his sneers. Besides this work is usually
published with notes by Milman and
Guizot, which point out and refute his
unfair criticisms.
After he had completed his studies he
resolved to enter upon literary career.
The idea of wiring the history OF the de.
cline and fall of Rome, was suggested
while on visit to that city as he sat mus
ing amidst the ruins OF the Capital, lis
tening to the barefooted friars, singing
vespers in the temple Of Jupiter. This
was in 1894. Ii was not, however, un.
till 1916 that the first volume was given
TO the world, and it was still eleven years
later that he wrote the last line. On this
occasion emotions Of pride, at the COM
pletion of so great task, and Of melan-
choly at taking final farewell of an old
agreeable companion, he has very graph
ically described.
He died in 1874.
His history is the product OF immense
industry and is written in lofty yet elo-
quent and perspicuous style. Gibbon IN
erudition and comprehensiveness OF intel
lect is admitted to surpass all other Eng
| lish historians.
Messrs. Caxtou. Remsen a. Haftelhger,
of Philadelphia, who issue so many valua-
BILE standard works, bring out Gibbon.
with notes by Milman, in six volumes,
which in style, type and price is all that
can be desired. The price, reduced, is.
cloth, full gilt, 5000; library style $500;
half calf gilt extra $500. 1t is known
as the "Ciown Edition.
The same publishers issue Rev. +.
Bobham Brewers Dictionary Of Phrase
and Fable" Cloth. $3.50; half calf,
5000. 1t is crown octave volume of
over one thousand pages, and contains q
vast amount Of information in conven-
lent form. All phrases from foreign Ian
guages are Englished; it gives the deri-
vation, source or origin of words that
have tale to tell. 1t tells why common
sense is so called; how it can be said
that we have seren senses why it Is
said that there is "luck in odd num-
bers''; why Hamlet calls the ghost ''rus
penny; gives the origin Of everyday
expressions like "mare's nest" 'shell
OUT 'kick the bucket" putting ones
foot in IT," No brief notice can give an
idea of the vast auount and great variety