Its
_materiel_ is composed of ripe observation and reflective good sense;
but the manner is objected to as marred by conceits of style--a sin
not very safely to be committed by so stern a censor of it in others.
His authoritative air in laying down the law is also occasionally
unpleasing to some readers; and great as his tact in essay-writing is,
he wants that easy grace and pervading _bonhomie_ which imparts such a
charm to the works of one with whom he has been erroneously
identified--the anonymous author of _Friends in Council_. But, after
all, he is one of those writers to whom our current literature is
really indebted, and whose sage, sententious, and well-hammered
thoughts may be profitably, as well as safely, commended to every
thinking soul among us.
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES:
[2] _Notes from Life._
[3] Ibid.
[4] _Literary Remains._
[5] _Lectures on the History of France._
[6] Namely, Jacques van Artevelde, 'the noblest and the wisest man
that ever ruled in Ghent,' and whom the factious citizens slew at his
own door.
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