1810.] Memoirs of the Life and Writings of M. de St. Croix. 243 
will always be difficult of imitation; and 
indisputably places its learned author 
among the great men who hold the first 
rank in historical science. M. W ytten- 
bach, a scholar worthy to decide on the 
merits of St, Croix, speaks of it as fol- 
lows: “ Though we should not always be 
of the opinion of the author, yet we may 
affirin that he has perfectly fulGtied all 
the conditions necessary for writing his- 
tory well. Such is the richness of the 
materials employed, that they appear 
incapable of augmentation, and this sin- 
gle work may be considered as a repo- 
sitory of the history of Alexander: no- 
thing that is known concerning that 
hero, is here omitted; places, dates, 
persons, facts, monuments of art, events, 
circumstances, writers, all are collected 
together. Nor is this the whole; for in 
this gallery of authors of allages, who (as 
it were) pass under review, care has been 
taken to point out the particular merits 
aa faults which characterise each age 
or epoch. This mass is animated by an 
intelligence that enlivens it, and that in- 
Spires every part with the principles of 
order, criticism, unity, a feeling of what 
is truly great and fine, a religious vene- 
ration for the duties of an historian, a 
nobleness of style, and an eloquence wor 
thy of the thoughts and the sentiments.” 
We adds: - May the amiable and 
learned writer, who is now preparing a 
new edition of his Inquiries concerning 
the Mysteries of Paganism, continue to 
enjoy, for the benefit of that under taking, 
the love of study, the vigour of mind and 
body, the ease and’ tranquillity, and all 
the external advantages, which he has 
employed with so much benefit on the 
History of Alexander!” 
The next work of St, Croix requiring 
to be noticed here, is “the Ezour 
Vedam, or an Ancient Commentary on 
the Vedam, containing the Exposition 
of the Religious and Philosophical Opi- 
nions of the Indians:” published at Yver- 
don in 1778, in two volumes duodecimo. 
In publishing this tract, accompanied 
with some preliminary observations, his 
purpose was, to shew how questionable 
is the boasted antiquity of the religious 
dogmas, and the sacred books, of the 
Indians, At the time of the appearance 
of this work, the authenticity of the 
Fzour YVedam was a subject of contro- 
versy; and ic has been attacked since by 
different writers. St. Croix once thought 
of publishing a second edition, enriched 
with the fruits of the researches of some 
learned Engbish authors; this design 
he abandoned, still however intend- 
ing to answer some extravagant criti- 
cisms that had appeared on the sub- 
ject of his publication; but even this 
purpose he did not execute. 
“ On the Condition and Fate of the 
Colonies of the Ancient Nations;” 
printed at Philadelphia, 1779, in one 
voluine octavo. ‘The author, who was 
always severe in judging of his own 
works, speaks unfavourably of this, but 
adds: “ There are however some remarks, 
worth attention. Such, in particular, is 
that on the supposed article of the treaty 
concluded between Gelo and the Car- 
thagimians, concerning human sacrifices, 
which Montesquieu affirms to do honour 
to the Syracusan tyrant; and of the same 
description are several reflections which 
have since been too fully justified by the 
French revolution.” The learned Wyt- 
tenbach regards this tract, notasa de= 
sultory compiiation, ora superficial sure\ ih 
vey, but as exhibiting an intimate and 
well-practised knowledge of ancient his- 
tory, and a happy talent at properly ap- 
plying it; and M. Boissy d’Anglas, who 
has so well appreciated the merits of St, 
Croix, says: ‘In this work his genius 
depicts the condition of the ancient 
colonies ; Be explains systematically the 
true principles which ought to regulate 
social institutions of this nature ; and in 
shewing with clearness how their 
founders applied these, he affords both 
memorable examples, and judicious les« 
sons for futurity.” 
*« Observations on the Treaty of Peace 
concluded in-1763, between France and 
England:” Yverdon, 1782, one volume 
duodecimo. At the time of the publi- 
cation of this tract, the two nations were 
on the point of terminating. the war which 
established the independence, of the 
United States of America. St. Croix 
wished to enlighten his countrymen on 
their true interests; and for this purpose 
he shewed them how humiliating and op- - 
pressive were the conditions to which 
France had agreed in that ‘treaty, and 
what great and dangerous faults had 
been committed in drawing up the ar- 
ticles of it. It is certain however that 
the people of England did not feel less 
discontent than M. St. Croix himself, at 
the treaty in question; and the indignant 
Junius charges the duke of Bedford with 
little less than treason in the negotiation _ 
of it on our part. 
“ Contributions to the History* of the 
* «¢ Mémoires pour servir a lHistoire,*? 
&c. 
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