Miscellaneous Works of Edw. Gibbon (Volume 2); With Memoirs of His Life and Writings, Composed by Himself

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1796 Excerpt: ... THE Letters of Mr. Gibbon, from the time ot his return to Switzerland in 1788, are annexed to his Memoirs, as the best continuation of them. Among his Letters of an earlier date, I find several which he has alluded to, and others which will illustrate the account h has given of himself. These, I flattef myself, will please the generality of readers; since, When he touches on matters of private business, even subjects of the driest nature become interesting, from his mode of treating them. Many Letters from distinguished persons to him will be introduced, and some that he received at a very early period of lise. Although we have not all his own Letters to which these were answers, yet we have enough to testify his ambition, even in youth, to be distinguished as a scholar. It has been sometimes thought necessary to ofser to the Public an apology for the publication of private Letters. I have no scruple to say, thatlpublilh these, because I think they place my friend in an advantageous point of view. He might not, perhaps, have expected that all his Letters should be printed; but I have no reason to believe that he would have been averse to the publication of any. If I had, they never would have been made public, however highly I might have conceived of their excellence. TO AND FROM EDWARD GIBBON Esquire. N I. M. Crevier a M. Gibbon. MONSIEUR, Paris, 7 Aou, 17. Je ne puis qu'etre tres-sensible aux temoignages d'estime dont vous voulez bien me combler, quoique je fois fort eloigne de les prendre a la lettre, & de nie regarder comme un oracle. Mais je suis homme vrai, & par la meme aime a profiter des lumieres que l'on a la bonte de me communiquer. Ainsi, Monsieur, je recois avec toute l...