The Works of Walter Bagehot; With Memoirs by R. H. Hutton (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1889. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... literary studies. edward gibbon (1856.) A Wit f said of Gibbon's autobiography that he did not know the difference between himself and the Roman empire. He has narrated his "progressions from London to Buriton and from Buriton to London" in the same monotonous majestic periods that record the fall of states and empires; the consequence is, that a fascinating book gives but a vague idea of its subject. It may not be without its use to attempt a description of him in plainer though less splendid English. The diligence of their descendant accumulated many particulars of the remote annals of the Gibbon family; but its real founder was the grandfather of the historian, who lived in the times of the "South Sea." He was a capital man of business according to the custom of that age, --a dealer in many kinds of merchandise; like perhaps the "complete tradesman" of Defoe, who was to understand the price and quality of all articles made within the kingdom. The preference, however, of Edward Gibbon the grandfather was for the article "shares"; his genius, like that of Mr. Hudson, had a natural tendency towards a commerce in the metaphysical and non-existent: and he was fortunate in the age on which his lot was thrown, --it afforded many opportunities of gratifying that taste. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. By Edward Gibbon, Esq. With Notes by Dean Milman and M. Guizot. Edited, with additional Notes, by William Smith, ll. D. In Eight Volumes. London, 1855. Murray. t Bagehot himself.--Ed. Vol. ii.--1. (1) Much has been written on panics and manias, --much more than with the most outstretched intellect we are able to follow or conceive; but one thing is certain, --that at particular times a great many stupid people have a great deal of stupid money. Savi...