Ghap. XVII. ] History, 353 



sideretl as an honourable testimonial of the hidus- 

 try and judgment of the author*. Two years 

 afterwards Dr. Samuel \yilliams gave to the pub- 

 lic his History of Vermont, which indicates an 

 ingenious and philosophical mind, and con- 

 tains much useful information. The next Ame- 

 rican history is that of the District of Maine, by 

 James Sullivan, esquire, which affords a cousidei"- 

 able portion of interesting instruction to tiie stu- 

 dent of American history. In 1797 appeared the 

 Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Connecticut, by 

 the reverend Dr. Benjamin Trumbull, a perform- 

 ance which, for the fulness of the inforinatioa 

 which it exhibits, and the minute accuracy and 

 fidelity manifested in every part of the narrative, 

 deserves high praise f. In the same year was 

 published a History of Pennsylvania by Mr. Ro- 

 bert Proud, which^ though not distinguished by 

 much taste in the jselection and arrangement of 

 its materials, or by the correctness or elegance 



* l)r. Belknap will long be respectfully remfcmbered by the 

 friends of literature in Massachusetts, and in the United States, 

 Beside presenting the public with works which must be considered 

 among the best specimens of histoiy and biography that our 

 country Iras produced, there were few men in America more 

 learned, of more solid and useful talents, or more devoted to the 

 estabhshment and support of literary and scientitic institutions. 

 He who shall attempt hereafter to give a view of the progress of 

 literature in New-Engiand, and- especially in Massachusetts, must 

 assign a conspicuous place to the character and labours of Dr. 

 Belknap. 



t This gentleman is now engaged in compiling a Witonj of 

 the United States, on which he has bestowed much labour, and of 

 which those who know his fidelity anj accuracy entertain Idgh 

 expectations. 



Vol.. ir. 2 A 



