2

constitute a series of books for instruction which, we hope, will find their way into all our schools."

It is remarkable that the novelty and accuracy of definitions in the American Dictionary have induced some persons to read the two volumes from beginning to end in course.

This dictionary is a brief encyclopedia, and the Scriptural authorities cited, with the book and chapter noted, render it to some extent a concordance. Families in which there are reading children all need this book; for without it many popular works can not be read to advantage. It will be almost necessary in the higher schools.

It may not be improper to state, that this American dictionary is now used by literary men in all parts of Europe. Mr. Meidinger, of Frankfort, who pronounces Dr. Webster to be that profound linguist, "ce profond linguiste," has, in his dictionary of the Teuto-Gothic languages, cited the American dictionary in almost every page.

DR. WEBSTER'S EDITION OF THE BIBLE.

From the Rev. Dr. Chapin, Recording Secretary to the Board of Foreign Missions.

THIS is a real and therefore desirable improvement; it of course deserves encouragement. It expresses with exactness and precision, the meaning conveyed by the original Hebrew of the Old Testament, and by the Greek of the New. The common translation contains many words and phrases, of which the refinements of modern education, taste and feeling, call for an exchange. To introduce a decorous substitute, in every instance where possible, for an exceptionable term or expression, has been the very laudable purpose of Dr. Webster. In grammatical accuracy and in verbal purity, he has succeeded, it is be lieved, to every practical extent.

The undersigned can not, therefore, hesitate to declare his entire approbation of the learned author's object and success. He is in the habit of daily using this improved edition of the Bible. He often critically compares the ungrammatical and improper language, so often occurring in James's version, with the substitutes here presented. As the result, he feels a delightful conviction, that these literary variations do constitute the requisite and much desired improvement of our sacred volume, and are worthy of universal adoption. He feels it to be his duty and his pleasure, to recommend for general use, the Bible in this most excellent form.

The Rev. Zebulon Crocker, of Middletown, writes to the author: "After having used your edition of the Bible six or seven years, for family reading, in connection with the common version, and also to some extent for public instruction, I am prepared not only to pronounce it a great improvement, but all things considered, as perfect a transla. tion of the Scripture as we can well expect to obtain. I see many reasons for wishing it might be adopted in pulpits, in schools and in families, in short, every where, and be by common consent, the only Bible in our language, published and sold."

From Clergymen.

We use Dr. Webster's edition of the Bible in our families, and can cheerfully recommend it to others.

NATHANIEL W. TAYLOR.

LEONARD BACON.

THOMAS A. MERRILL.
WILLIAM C. FOWLER.

"The subscribers have, for some months past, used Dr. Webster's edition of the Bible in our families, and we can sincerely say, that we are well pleased with his emendations of the language. This work is not a new translation, but the common version, with improvements of the language, without an alteration of the sense, except in three or four passages, in which mistakes had been introduced by oversight or misprinting. The editor has, by a change of words, illustrated many passages, which, in the common copies, are obscure or unintelligible to ordinary readers, and altered some words and passages, which can not be uttered before an audience without giving offense, especially to females; which words and phrases subject the Scriptures to the scoffs of infidels. The more we read this amended copy, the better we like it; and we cheerfully commend it to the use of others, believing that an examination of the work will remove objections to the amendments, and be the means of promoting religion, by extending the use of the Bible in schools."

Rev. Edwin E. Griswold, of the Methodist connection; Rev.
Judson A. Root, Principal of the Female Institute; Charles
Bostwick, Deacon of United Society, New Haven; Rev.
Smith Dayton, of the Methodist connection; Henry White,
Esq., Deacon of the First Church, New Haven; Everard
Benjamin, Deacon of the Free Church, New Haven.

The editor of the Congregationalist has remarked on the emend. ations of the language of the Bible by Dr. Webster, that the work is as well done, as if it had been executed by an association of literary gentlemen. And the Rev. Z. Crocker has published his opinion, that no man, nor any number of men, could reasonably be expected to execute it better."

66

WEBSTER'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

Extract from the Middlesex Gazette.

It is pleasing amidst the redundancy of elementary compilations, to meet with one which is written by a man of learning and experience, who is thoroughly master of the subject, and well acquainted with the wants of those for whom his work is principally intended. Such appears to be the History of the United States, published by Dr. Webster.

Nothing that can be here said, will be likely to add to the reputation of the learned and venerable compiler. This literary veteran has unquestionably done more to raise and establish the reputation of our country in philological learning, than all our writers besides. He is also the man to whom the public is under immense obligation, from his being the first to set about in earnest to improve the elementary books

1

which are not only necessary in schools, but adapted to instruct our youth in general. He it is, who gave the first impulse to that improved plan of elementary education, which has made such surprising progress since the termination of our revolution.

1

The present work is perfectly adapted to the object of the author. It contains a lucid but succinct account of all the most interesting events of the United States, arranged in perspicuous method, and described with candor and impartiality.

It is a work adapted to the higher classes of schools, to youth who are acquiring a taste for history, and to the man of business, who has not time to examine larger treatises. On account of the various kinds of miscellaneous information and moral instruction, which are interspersed through the volume, it is peculiarly fitted to become a family book, and to make a portion of the amusing and instructive reading of the domestic circle, during the long winter evenings of our northern climate. THOMAS MINER.

WEBSTER'S IMPROVED GRAMMAR.

A critical scholar writes, in the Middlesex Gazette, that "this is the only grammar which exhibits a true account of our language."

The following is an extract from a letter to the author, from the lamented HORATIO GATES SPAFFORD, the author of the Gazetteer of the State of New York, who fell a victim to the cholera :

"It has happened to me this morning, that I took up thy grammar, and I examined it with an increased degree of interest and pleasure. How much I found to admire, and how much to increase my sentiments of obligation to the author, I shall omit to describe. I am greatly thy debtor, my worthy friend. This book alone ought to command the gratitude of thy country, and that country should pride itself on such an author. Posterity will do thee justice, and the time is coming, when all previous grammars will be wiped away, as the cobwebs of literature, to make way for the science of grammar in Webster.”

MANUAL OF USEFUL STUDIES AND GRAMMAR.

From the Rev. Emerson Davis, of Westfield, Mass.

I have examined Dr. Webster's Manual, and think it well adapted to the use of high schools, and to the older scholars in our common schools. It contains information on many important topics, that children and youth can not easily find elsewhere. Dr. Webster's Grammar, for philosophical accuracy and depth of research, is not surpassed by any other. It should be in the hands of every teacher, and used by every scholar who desires a correct and thorough knowledge of the structure of the English language.

These views have not been formed without examination. I have been familiar with the Grammar for years, and with the Manual ever since it was published.

REMARK.

Webster's Spelling Books, having been more used for fifty years than any other books of the kind, have had a great effect in correcting errors, and impressing uniformity on our popular language. So highly is his Elementary Spelling Book esteemed, that it is printed and used in Canada, in preference to English books.

MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.

CHAPTER I.

REVOLUTION IN FRANCE.

INTRODUCTION.

MEN of all descriptions are frequently asking the questions, What will be the fate of France ? What will be the consequences of the Revolution in France? Will France be conquered? and others of a like nature.

These questions are extremely interesting, as they respect every thing which concerns the happiness of men in the great societies of Europe and America; government, liberty, arts, science, agriculture, commerce, morality, religion.

It would be an evidence of daring presumption to attempt to open the volume of divine determinations on these momentous questions. But it is highly proper, at all times, to exercise our reason, in examining the connection between causes and their effects; and in predicting, with modesty, the probable consequences of known events.

It is conceived to be the duty of the historian and the statesman, not merely to collect accounts of battles, the slaughter of the human race, the sacking of cities, the seizure and confiscation of shipping, and other bloody and barbarous deeds, the work of savage man toward his fellow men; but to discover, if possible, the causes of great changes in the affairs of men; the springs of those important movements, which vary the aspect of government, the features of nations, and the very character of man.

The present efforts of the French nation, in resisting the forces of the combined powers, astonish even reflecting men. They far exceed every thing exhibited during the energetic reigns of Francis I. and Louis XIV. To ascertain the true principles from which have sprung the union and the vigor which have marked this amazing revolution, is a work of no small labor, and may be of great public utility.

JACOBIN SOCIETY.

It is conceived the first principle of combination in France, was the establishment of the Jacobin Society. The members of this association may not originally have foreseen the extent of the Revolution, or the full effect of their own institution. At the time it was formed, there may have been many persons in it, who were friends to the monarchy of France, under the control of a constitution, and an elective

legislative assembly. But the interest of the ancient court, the nobility
and clergy, was then considerable, not only in Paris, but in every depart.
ment of France. It was necessary, in the view of the leaders of the
Republican party, to circumscribe or destroy the court influence by
direct legislative acts; or to raise throughout France, a combination
of republicans, who, by union and concert, might oppose it with suc
cess. The public mind was not ripe for the first expedient, the direct
invasion of the privileged orders; the Republicans therefore, with a
discernment that marks great talents, resorted to the last expedient, the
institution of popular societies in every department of that extensive
country. These societies are all moved by the mainspring of the ma-
chine, the Jacobin Society in Paris; and by the perfect concert ob-
served in all their proceedings, they have been able to crush every
other influence, and establish over France a government as singular in
its kind, as it is absolute in its exercise.

COMMISSIONERS.

In pursuance of the same principle of combination, though not co-
temporary in its adoption, was the plan of conducting both civil and
military operations in all parts of the Republic, by commissioners from
the National Convention. It was found that, although the Jacobin So.
cieties had a very extensive influence in seconding the views of the
Republican party; yet this was the influence of opinion, and private
exertion merely; an influence too small and indirect, to answer every
purpose. These societies were voluntary associations, unclothed with
any legal authority. To conduct the intended revolution, it was neces
sary there should be persons, in all parts of the country, vested with
full powers to execute the decrees of the Convention, a majority of
whom were Jacobins, and whose measures were only the resolutions
of the Jacobin Society in Paris, clothed with the sanction of a consti-
tutional form. To supply the defect of legal authority in the several
popular societies, commissioners were deputed from the Convention,
invested with the most absolute powers to watch over the civil and mil-
itary officers employed in responsible stations, to detect conspiracies,
to arrest suspected persons, and in short to control all the operations
of that extensive country. These commissioners, being usually taken
from the Jacobin Society at Paris, and having a constant communica
tion with the Convention, which was ruled by them, were enabled to
carry all their measures into full effect. A single club, by this curious
artifice, gave law to France. An immense machine, by the most ex-
traordinary contexture of its parts, was and is still, moved by a single
spring.

To unclog this machine from all its incumbrances, and give vigor
to its active operations, it was necessary to displace all its enemies.
For this purpose, all suspected and disaffected persons were to be re-
moved. Under pretense of guarding the public safety, and delivering
the Republic from traitors, insidiously plotting its destruction, a Court
was established, called the Revolutionary Tribunal, consisting of men
devoted to the views of the Jacobins, and clothed with powers that made
their enemies tremble. The summary jurisdiction, assumed or exer-