),
the historian (G. Burnet) had the thanks of both Houses of Parliament
for what he had already done; and was desired to proceed to the
finishing of the whole work, which was done accordingly. This historian
gives a punctual account of all the affairs of the Reformation, from
its first beginning in the reign of Henry VIII., till it was finally
completed and settled by Queen Elizabeth, A.D. 1559. And the whole is
penned in such a masculine style as becomes an historian, and such as
is this author's property in all his writings. The collection of
records which he gives in the conclusion of each volume are good
vouchers of the truth of all he delivers (as such) in the body of his
history; and are much more perfect than could reasonably be expected,
after the pains taken, in Queen Mary's days, to suppress everything
that carried the marks of the Reformation upon it. The work has had so
much justice done it, as to meet with a general acceptance abroad, and
to be translated into most of the European languages; insomuch that
even the most piquant of the author's enemies allow it to have a
_reputation firmly and deservedly established_. Indeed, some of the
French writers have cavilled at it; but the most eminent of them (M.
Varillas and M. Le Grand) have received due correction from the author
himself."

HENRY H. BREEN.

St. Lucia, Dec. 1850.

_Coleridge's Opinion of Defoe._--Wilson, in his _Memoirs of the life and
Times of Defoe_, vol. ii. p. 205., having quoted the opinion of the Editor
of Cadell's edition of _Robinson Crusoe_,--"that Defoe wanted many of those
qualities, both of mind and manner, which fitted Steele and Addison to be
the inimitable _arbitri elegantiarum_ of English society, there can be no
doubt,"--Coleridge wrote in the margin of his copy, "I doubt this,
particularly in respect to Addison, and think I could select from Defoe's
writings a volume equal in size to Addison's collected papers, little
inferior in wit and humour, and greatly superior in vigor of style and
thought."

Ts.

_Miller's "Philosophy of Modern History."_--In the memoir, chiefly
autobiographical, prefixed to the last edition (published by Mr. Bohn,
1848-9) of this most able and interesting work, we find the following
words, p. xxxv.:

"In the preceding period of my lecturing, I collected a moderate
audience [seldom exceeding ten persons] in