Sect. III.] United States of America, 269 



have been executed in the United States. Among 

 many others who might be mentioned as distin- 

 guished for their classic learning and taste, it 

 would be improper to omit the name of Charles 

 Thomson, esq.*, late secretary of the American 

 congress. The erudition and skill of this gentle- 

 man, especially in Greek literature, do honour 

 to his country. He has completed a translation 

 of the Septiiagint version of the Old Testament 

 Scriptures, and of the original of the New Testa- 

 ment, which the friends of biblical literature in 

 America hope soon to see published ; and which, 

 in the opinion of good judges, will be a valuable 

 acquisition to sacred criticism. 



Of Oriental Literature the votaries in America 

 have been few, and of the fruits of their erudition 

 little has been laid before the pu])lic. With re- 

 gard, indeed, both to classic and oriental litera- 

 ture, the country has rather lost than gained 

 ground within the last hundred years. For though 

 a greater number of persons now gain a smatter- 

 ing of classic literature than at the beginning of 

 the century ; yet of those who pay attention to 

 this study, much fewer are deeply and thoroughly 

 instructed. And with respect to oriental learn- 

 ing, those who have any tolerable acquaintance 

 with it in the United States are rare indeed. To 

 the names of those Americans mentioned in 

 former parts of this work, who w^ere distinguished 

 by their knowledge of the Hebrew language, 



* This gentleman received the rudiments of his education at 

 the academy of Dr. Francis Allison, before mentioned, where he 

 was associated in study with Dr. Ewing, governor M'Kean, and 

 a number of other Americans of literary distinction. 



