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GIBBON. 



THE biography of illustrious men, men whose history 

 is intimately connected either with the political events 

 of their times, or with the progress of science or of learn- 

 ing, has ever been deemed one of the most useful as well 

 as delightful departments of literature; nor does it 

 yield to any in the capacity of conveying the most 

 important instruction in every department of know- 

 ledge. It has accordingly been cultivated in all ages by 

 the most eminent men. Invaluable contributions to it 

 have been afforded by the individuals themselves whose 

 lives were to be recorded. Their correspondence with 

 familiar friends is one source of our knowledge regarding 

 them; nay, it may almost be termed a branch of auto- 

 biography. Who does not value Cicero's letters above 

 most of his works? Who does not lament that those of 

 Demosthenes are not more numerous and better authen- 

 ticated? But some have been in form, as well as in sub- 

 stance, their own biographers. Nor does any one accuse 

 Hume and Gibbon of an undue regard to their own 

 fame, or of assuming arrogantly a rank above their real 

 importance, when they left us the precious histories of 

 their lives. On the contrary, their accounts of other 

 men contain few pages more valuable to the cause of 



