Nations lately become Literary, 39^ 



those who pay attention to this study, much fewer 

 are deeply and thoroughly instructed. And with 

 respect to Oriental learning, those who have any 

 tolerable acquaintance with it in the United States 

 are rare indeed. To the names of those Amerxans 

 mentioned in former parts of this work, who were 

 distinguished by their knowledge of the Hebrew 

 language, that of the Rev. JDr. S tiles, President of 

 Yale College, may be added. At the time of his 

 death, he probably left no superior among his 

 countrymen in this branch of literature. 7 



It has been asserted, and probably with truth, 

 that in Political science, and in Parliamentary eld- 

 cjuence, the United States will bear a very honour- 

 able comparison with any nation. Besides the 

 eminent political writers mentioned in a former 

 page, the names of Adams, Hamilton, Madison, 

 Jay, and several other native citizens, are known 

 and celebrated in Europe. In addition to these^ 

 many Counsellors and Juridical characters might 

 be enumerated, w 7 ho not only hold a high station 

 among: ourselves, but who would also be considered 

 as ornaments of the bar and the bench, in the most 

 enlightened countries of Europe. 



The Historians of America were enumerated 



q Ezra Stiles, D. D. and LL. D. was born at North-Haven, in 

 Connecticut, December 10, 1727. He was educated at Yale College, 

 where he received the degree of A. B. in the year 1T46. He was ordained 

 to the work of the Gospel ministry, and installed Pastor of a Church at 

 Newport, Rhode-Island, in 1755; and was chosen President of the Col- 

 lege at which he had received his education in 1777 ; in which important 

 office he continued till his death, in 1795. Dr. Si ii.es was one of the 

 most learned men that our country ever produced. He had a great amount 

 of general knowledge, but he was particularly attached to Oriental litera- 

 ture. Besides an acquaintance with the Hebrew language more than 

 commonly extensive and profound, very few on this side of "he Atlantic 

 ever made so great progress in the knowledge of the Arabic, Cbaldakr, 

 Syriac, and Samaritan dialects ; and on the Persic and Coptic he had be- 

 stowed some attention. He corresponded with learned Rabbis in the 

 Hebrew language, and revived the study of it in the College over which 

 he presided. For upwards of thirty years he held a distinguished place 

 among the active friends and promoters of literature in the United States, 



