144 History. 



tolary style, is obvious; but whether it be consist- 

 ent with the proper structure, continued narrative, 

 and true dignity of history, may certainly be ques- 

 tioned. ' 



A new species of historical composition to which 

 the age under review has given rise, is that which 

 is commonly called Statistical History. The word 

 Statistics, as the name of a peculiar kind of inquiry, 

 was first introduced into the English language by 

 Sir John Sincl air . He derived it from the German 

 writers, who have long employed the term to sig- 

 nify those topics of inquiry which interest the 

 statist, ox statesman. That is a proper Statistical 

 history of any country which exhibits every thing 

 relating thereto, which the riders of the State are 

 concerned to examine and know. Those who 

 have given histories of this kind in Germany are 

 numerous. The first and most conspicuous Sta- 

 tistical historian in the annals of English litera- 

 ture is Sir John Sinclair, who has collected, in 

 this form, an amount of information concerning 

 North-Britain, which does much honour not only to 

 the individuals who furnished the information, but 

 also to the industry and public spirit of the editor/ 



The execution of a plan of Universal History, 

 to any considerable and useful extent, was first ac- 

 complished in the eighteenth century. It is certain 

 that English literature can boast of no respectable 

 production of this kind before the commencement 

 of the period in question. Since that time works 

 of this nature have been compiled in various parts 

 of Europe, and some of them are entitled to high 

 praise, with respect both to their fulness and their 

 judicious structure. 



f Proposals have been published for the compilation of statistical histories 

 of several of the American States, and smaller districts of our country. 

 Among the most important and promising of these are the proposals made 

 by the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, to publish a statistical 

 history of that State. From the talents and learning included in that body 

 high expectations are formed concerning their projected work. 



