this æra there are other histories of England more. entertaining than his, though I believe none es teemed more authentic. Party so strongly in fluences both historians and their readers, that it is a difficult and invidious task to point out the best amongst the number of English histories that offer themselves: but, as you will not read with a critical view, nor enter deeply into politics, I think you may be allowed to choose that which is most entertaining and, in this view, I believe the ge neral voice will direct you to Hume, though he goes no farther than the Revolution. Among other historians, do not forget my darling Shakspeare, a faithful as well as a most agreeable one,-whose historical plays, if read in a series, will fix in your memory the reigns he has chosen, more durably than any other history. You need not fear his leading you into any material mistakes, for he keeps surprisingly close to the truth, as well in the characters as in the events. One cannot but wish he had given us a play on the reign of every English king, as it would have been the pleasant est, and perhaps the most useful way of becoming acquainted with it.

For the other portion of Great Britain, Robert. son's History of Scotland is a delightful work, and of a moderate size.

Next to your own country, France will be the most interesting object of your enquiries: our aucient possessions in that country, and the frequent contests we have been engaged in with its inhabittants, connect their history with our own. The extent of their dominion and influence, their supposed superiority in elegance and politeness,-their eminence in the Arts and Sciences, and that intercourse of thought, if so I may call it, which subsists between us, by the mutual communication of lite rary productions,-make them peculiarly interesting to us; and we cannot but find our curiosity excited to know their story, and to be intimately acquainted with the character, genius, and senti. inents of this nation.

I do not know of any general history of France, that will answer your purpose, except that of Me. gerai, which even in the abridgement is a pretty large work: there is a very modern one by Velly and others, which perhaps may be more lively, but is still more voluminous and not yet completed. From Mezerai you may proceed with Voltaire to the end of the reign of Louis the Fourteenth.

In considering the rest of Europe, your curiosity may be confined within narrower limits. Modern history is, from the nature of it, much more minute and laborious than the ancient, and to pursue that of so many various kingdoms and governments, would be a task unequal to your leisure and abi lities, at least for several years to come: at the same time, it must be owned, that the present system of politics and commerce has formed such a relation between the different powers of Europe, that they are in a manner members of one great body, and a total ignorance of any considerable state would throw an obscurity even upon the af fairs of your own country; an acquaintance, however, with the most remarkable circumstances that distinguish the principal governments, will suffi ciently enlighten you, and will enable you to conprehend whatever relates to thein, in the histories with which you are more familiar. Instead of re ferring you for this purpose to dull and uninteresting abridgements, I choose rather to point out to you a few small Tracts, which exhibit striking and lively pictures, not easily effaced from the memory, of the constitutions and the most remarkable trans. actions of several of these nations. Such are,

Sir William Temple's Essay on the United Pro

vinces.

His Essay on Heroic Virtue, which contains some account of the Saracen Empire.

Vertot's Revolutions de Suède.

The History of Modern Europe, may be read with parisular advantage. Editor.

Vertot's Revolutions de Portugal.
Voltaire's Charles XII. de Suède.
Pierre le Grand.

Puffendorf's Account of the Popes, in his Introduc
tion to Modern History.

Some part of the History of Germany and Spain, you will see more in detail in Robertson's History of Charles V. which I have already recommended to you in another view.

After all this, you may still be at a loss for the transactions of Europe, in the last fifty years: for the purpose of giving you, in a very small compass, some idea of the state of affairs during that period, I will venture to recommend one book more;Campbell's State of Europe.

Thus much may suffice for that moderate scheme, which I think is best suited to your sex and age. There are several excellent histories and memoirs of particular reigns and periods, which I have taken no notice of in this circumscribed plan; but with which, if you should happen to have a taste for the study, you will hereafter choose to be ac quainted: these will be read with most advantage, after you have gained some general view of his tory-and they will then serve to refresh your me mory, and settle your ideas distinctly; as well as enable you to compare different accounts of the persons and facts which they treat of, and to form your opinions of them on just grounds.

As I cannot, with certainty, foresee what degree of application or genius for such pursuits you will be mistress of; I shall leave deficiencies of this col lection to be supplied by the suggestions of your more informed friends; who, if you explain to them how far you wish to extend your knowledge, will direct you to the proper books.

But if, instead of an eager desire for this kind

This work has not been published for some years: Guthrie's Geographical and Histerical Grammar is the best work of the kind, at present. Editor.

of knowledge, you should happen to feel that dis. taste for it which is too common in young ladies who have been indulged in reading only works of mere amusement, you will perhaps rather think that I want mercy in offering you so large a plan, than that there needs an apology for the deficiencies of it. but, comfort yourself with the assurance that a taste for history will grow and improve by reading: that as you get acquainted with one period or nation, your curiosity cannot fail to be awakened for what concerns those immediately connected with it; and thus, you will insensibly be led on from one degree of knowledge to another.

If you waste in trivial amusement the next three or four years of your life, which are the prime season of improvement, believe me you will hereafter bitterly regret their loss; when you come to feel yourself inferior in knowledge to almost every one you converse with; and, above all, if you should ever be a mother, when you feel your own inability to direct and assist the pursuits of your children, you will then find ignorance a severe mortification, and a real evil. Let this, my dear, animate your industry and let not a modest opinion of your own capacity be a discouragement to your endea vours after knowledge; a moderate understanding, with diligent and well-directed application, will go much farther than a more lively genius, if attended with that impatience and inattention, which too often accompanies quick parts. It is not from want of capacity that so many women are such trifling insipid companions,-so ill qualified for the friendship and conversation of a sensible man,-or for the task of governing and instructing a family; it is much oftener from the neglect of exercising the talents which they really have, and from omitting to cultivate a taste for intellectual improvement: by this neglect they lose the sincerest of pleasures; a pleasure which would remain when almost every other forsakes them,which neither fortune nor age can deprive them of,

and which would be a comfort and resource in almost every possible situation of life.

If I can but inspire you, my dear child, with the desire of making the most of your time and abilities, my end is answered: the means of knowledge will easily be found by those who diligently Seek them; and they will find their labours abundantly rewarded.

And now, my dear, I think it is tinie to finish this long correspondence; which, though, in some parts it may have been tedious to you, will not, I ́hope, be found entirely useless in any. I have Jaid before you all that my maturest reflections could enable me to suggest, for the direction of your conduct through life. My love for you, my dearest child, extends its views beyond this frail and transitory existence; it considers you as a candidate for immortality,as entering the lists for the prize of your high calling, as contending for a crown of unfading glory. It sees, with anxious solicitude, the dangers that surround you, and the everlasting shame that must follow, if you do not exert all your strength in the conflict. Religion therefore has been the basis of my plan; the prin ciple to which every other pursuit is ultimately referred. Here then I have endeavoured to guide your researches: and to assist you in forming just notions on a subject of such infinite importance, I have shewn you the necessity of regulating your heart and temper, according to the genuine spirit of that religion, which I have so earnestly recom> mended as the great rule-of your life. To the same principle I would refer your attention to do. mestic duties, and, even that refinement and elegance of manners, and all those graces and ac complishments, which will set your virtues in the fairest light, and will engage the affection and respect of all who converse with you. Endeared to society by these amiable qualities, your influence in it will be more extensive, and your capacity of being useful proportionably enlarged. The studies,