1 68 cbsci-vaiious en JVatsoji's history. Feb^ I . 



One cannot enough admire the great and comprehen- 

 sive idea which Watson has formed of this period. — 

 From the simple view which, at setting out, he gives 

 of Philip's arbitrary proceedings, the subsequent series 

 of events flow with a uniform tendency.'; they rise one 

 above another in a natural succefsion, and in a gra- 

 dual progrefs, to still more important and interesting 

 fcenes. 



But though the reign and character of Philip be the 

 great idea by which we may be said to grasp, or embo- 

 dy the numerous facts of this history, it does not ex- 

 clude many subordinate unities, which, if the writer 

 pofsefs sufficient art and ability, will be so conducted 

 as to give us a distinct and separate prospect, without 

 confusion, or driving out of view the predominating 

 features of the work. To arrange seemingly uncon- 

 nected transactions under one great plan, and afsign 

 to each its proper place, and due proportion of atten- 

 tion is, without doubt, the most trying test of an his- 

 torian's fkill. In this our author greatly excels; and in 

 the execution of it, in the present work, he hath given 

 proof of uncommon talents. No epick poet has pre- 

 served the unity of his plot better. The great fcene 

 of action is in the Netherlands, where our attention is 

 long detained, and our feelings deeply engaged by a 

 protracted and plea$ing solicitude for the infant exer- 

 tions of liberty. From this noble theme, however, we 

 are frequently led, and made to contemplate other im- 

 portant events, in the management of which the his- 

 torian has fhewn so much addrefs, that we always fol- 

 low him without reluctance. They are all so happily 

 introduced as never to embarafs the great outlines of 



