Chaf. XVII.] Illstorij. 351 



Munoz, as they supplied, in sonic degree, import- 

 ant desiderata in the repuhlic of letters, may be re- 

 garded as among the most interesting of tlie nu- 

 merous vokimes whieh might be recounted, did 

 our hmits admit of such details. 



On the whole, it is believed that Great-Britain 

 produced the best models of historical composition 

 of which the eighteenth century can boast. Though 

 some of the French historians, and particularly M. 

 Voltaire, seem to have led the way in forming the 

 present improved taste in this species of writing ; 

 yet there can be no doubt but that their British suc- 

 cessoi-s went far beyond them, and produced hi- 

 stories which, in the choice and arrangement of 

 facts, in dignity, purity; and elegance of style, and 

 in general authenticity, display an assemblage of 

 excellences which were never before equalled in 

 any age or country. Next to these the historians 

 of France and Germany justly claim superior rank. 

 The other countries of Europe stand in an order, 

 with respect to degrees of excellence, which it is 

 neither easy nor necessary to adjust. 



Though America has not yet produced hrsto- 

 rians who can vie with the hrst class of British 

 models, yet she has given birth to a number quite 

 proportioned to her literary age and standing, and 

 some which will do her lasting honour. These all 

 belong to the eighteenth century. The first iii- 

 storical work published by a native American was 

 the History of Virginia, by the reverend Wi ham 

 Smith, president of William and Mary college. 

 This gentleman was learned, collected his mate- 

 rials with a singularly minute care, and, it is saul 

 a.av be relied on, as exceedingly faithtul and 



