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 M. Deyverdun-He writes, and com-

municates to his friends, an historical essay upon

the liberty of the Swiss-Their unfavourable

Judgment Mr Hume's opinion.....

Mr Gibbon and M. Deyverdun engage in a periodical

work, intended as a continuation of Dr Maty's

'Journal Brittannique ;' entitled Mémoires

Littéraires de la Grande Bretagne'-Account of

the work-Mr Gibbon publishes his observations

on the Sixth Eneid of Virgil, in opposition to

bishop Warburton's hypothesis-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 studies-Reflections

on his domestic circumstances; his father's death

and character..

Mr Gibbon settles in London-Begins his History of

the Decline and Fall-Becomes a Member of the

House of Commons-Characters of the principal

speakers-Publishes his first volume; its recep-

tion-Mr Hume's opinion, in a letter to the

author-Makes a second visit to Paris-His dis-

pute with the abbé Mably-He enumerates and

characterises the writers who wrote against his

fifteenth and sixteenth chapters...

Mr Gibbon, by the desire of ministry, writes the 'Mé-

moire Justificatif'-By the interest of lord Lough-

borough is appointed one of the lords of trade-

Publishes the second and third volumes of his

History; their reception-Mentions archdeacon

Travis's attack upon him, and commends Mr

Porson's answer to the archdeacon-Notices also

bishop Newton's censure

The author proceeds in his History-Leaves London,
and settles at Lausanne, in the house of his

........ .......

PLGE

154

202

210

224

friend M. Deyverdun; his reasons for doing so-

Reflections on his change of situation-Short

characters of prince Henry of Prussia and of Mr

Fox, both of whom he sees at Lausanne-Pro-
ceeds in and finishes his History-Interesting
remarks on concluding it..

Mr Gibbon pays a visit to lord Sheffield in Eng-

land; remarks on lord Sheffield's writings-Pub.

lishes the remainder of his History-Returns to

Lausanne; his manner of employing his time—

The death of M. Deyverdun-Observations of the

author upon the French revolution, the govern-

ment of Berne, and his own situation.-The Me-

moirs end...

Narrative of lord Sheffield, connecting the Memoirs

with Mr Gibbon's letters, forming a continuation

of his life.. .....

PAGE

235

242

259

LETTERS.

AN account of his journey to and arrival at Lau-

sanne-The state of M. Deyverdun's health-Re-

ceives a visit from Mr Fox and from Mr Douglas—

Their conversation

Mirabeau's work Sur la Monarchie Prussienne'.

M. Deyverdun's death-Reflections on that event
-Mr Gibbon hesitates whether he should purchase
the perpetuity of M. Deyverdun's estate-Dis-
poses of his own at Lenborough-Private circum-
stances discussed......

Reflections on the French revolution-The principal

characters of that nation then at Lausanne-On

his own health.

Contrast of the political temper of lord North and M.
Necker-Favourable character of Mr Burke's

261

265-9

276

work on the French revolution--Mr Gibbon

proposes a declaration to be signed by the most

considerable men of all parties in England-

On lord Sheffield's election to represent the

city of Bristol--Alludes pleasantly to an inten-

tion of marrying-His own health and situation

at Lausanne

Exhortation to lord Sheffield and family to visit Lau-

sanne-Arranges their route-Mr Gibbon's ab-

horrence of revolutionary principles-Rupture

between Fox and Burke-On the state of affairs

in Paris...

Narrative continued by lord Sheffield.

PAGE

285

294

298

MEMOIRS

OF

EDWARD GIBBON.

In the fifty-second year of my age, after the completion of an arduous and successful work, I now propose to employ some moments of my leisure in reviewing the simple transactions of a private and literary life. Truth, naked unblushing truth, the first virtue of more serious history, must be the sole recommendation of this personal narrative. The style shall be simple and familiar: but style is the image of character; and the habits of correct writing may produce, without labour or design, the appearance of art and study. My own amusement is my motive, and will be my reward; and if these sheets are communicated to some discreet and indulgent friends, they will be secreted from the public eye till the author shall be removed beyond the reach of criticism or ridicule.*

This passage is found in one only of the six sketches, and in that which seems to have been the first written, and which was laid aside among loose papers. Mr Gibbon, in his communications with me on the subject of his Memoirs, a subject which he had not mentioned to any other person, expressed a determination of publishing them in his lifetime.