857 



period sufficient, in other countries, to effect a thorough incorpora. 

 tion. This happy result has so far been unfortunately retarded by 

 causes, upon which I fear to touch. They have hitherto, in a great 

 measure, frustrated the prediction of Sir John Davies, concerning 

 the effect of the northern colony. " This," says he, " is truly the 

 maister piece and most excellent part of the work of Reformation, and 

 is worthy, indeed, of his Majesty's royal pains : for when this planta- 

 tion hath taken root, and been fixed and settled for a few years, 

 with the favour and blessing of Grod, it will secure the peace of Ire- 

 land, and assure it to the crown of England for ever, and finally 

 make it a civil and a rich, a mighty and flourishing kingdom." 



I shall conclude this enumeration with a monument to his fame, 

 from which we all derive signal benefit at the present day, I mean 

 his improved translation of the Bible. This originated at the con- 

 ference at Hampton Court, where it was suggested to him by the 

 Puritans, whose leader. Dr. Reynolds, he selected as one of the 

 translators. The wisdom of the plan, and the impartiality of the 

 instructions for executing it, will ever do honour to his memory. He 

 had effected a similar improvement in Scotland, and may therefore 

 claim the merit of originating the design. 



It is no part of my plan to discuss his literary reputation ; but as 

 it is often ridiculed by very incompetent judges, of whom I acknow- 

 ledge myself to be the least competent, I hope I rnay be excused for 

 referring to Robertson and Hume, and adding these words from 

 D'Israeli :* " I suspect that James was not that degraded and feeble 

 character, in which he ranks by the contagious voice of criticism. 

 He has had more critics than readers. I conceive that he possessed 

 a great facility and promptness of wit, and much solid judgment 



* Curiosities of Literature. 



