EXTRACT

FROM THE

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION,

BY THE SAME.

I will be remembered that the Memoirs were composed and formed from six different sketches, and from notes and memoranda on loose unconnected papers and cards, all in Mr Gibbon's handwriting. This new edition of his posthumous works has furnished me with the opportunity of interweaving several additional extracts from the same sources; illustrating and enlarging the Memoirs, where they were most scanty, by notes principally selected from

his Journal.

To the letters printed in the former edition a considerable number, both from himself and many other distinguished persons, are introduced in the present publication.*

In regard to these letters, see preceding remarks of

the Editors of the Autobiography.

CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

MEMOIRS.

THE Author's Introduction

Account and anecdotes of his family

South Sea Scheme, and the bill of pains and penalties
against the directors; among whom was the au-
thor's grandfather...

Character of Mr William Law....

Mr Gibbon's birth; he is put under the care of Mr
Kirkby; some account of Mr Kirkby....

The author is sent to Dr Wooddeson's school, whence

he is removed on the death of his mother-Affec-

tionate observations on his aunt, Mrs. Catharine

Porten.........

.........

Is entered at Westminster school; is removed on ac-
count of ill-health, and afterwards placed under
the care of the Rev. Mr Francis....
Enters a gentleman commoner at Magdalen college,
Oxford-Remarks on that university-Some ac-
count of Magdalen college-Character of Dr Wal-
degrave, Mr Gibbon's first tutor....

The author determines to write an history; its sub-
ject-Solution of a chronological difficulty-Mr
Gibbon is converted to the Roman Catholic
religion; cites the examples of Chillingworth

PAGE

and Bayle; their characters-Mr Gibbon obliged

to leave Oxford-Farther remarks on the uni-

versity..

The author is removed to Lausanne, and placed under
the care of M. Pavilliard-Reflections on his
change of situation-Character of M. Pavilliard,
and an account of his manner of restoring Mr
Gibbon to the Protestant church-Mr Gibbon
received the Sacrament in the church of Lausanne
on Christmas-day 1754....

PAGE

41

57

The author's account of the books he read, and of the

course of study he pursued

61

Mi Gibbon makes the tour of Switzerland; forms a
correspondence with several literary characters;
is introduced to Voltaire, and sees him perform
several characters in his own plays-Remarks on
his acting...

......

Some account of mademoiselle Curchod (afterwards
madame Necker)-Reflections on his education
at Lausanne-He returns to England-His man-
ner of spending his time....

.....

Mr Gibbon publishes his first work, 'Essai sur l'Etude
de la Littérature'-Some observations on the
plan, and the character of the performance-
Character of Dr Maty

The author's manner of passing his time in the Hamp-
shire militia, and reflections upon it......
Mr Gibbon resumes his studies; determines to write
upon some historical subject; considers various
subjects, and makes remarks upon them for that
purpose-Sees Mallet's Elvira performed; cha-
racter of that play.

The author passes some time at Paris, gives an ac-

count of the persons with whom he chiefly asso-

ciated-Proceeds through Dijon and Besançon to

Lausanne; characterises a society there, called

La Société du Printems-Becomes acquainted

with Mr Holroyd, now lord Sheffield-Remarks

in their meeting..