A compendious history of New England, designed for schools and private families. By JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. and Rev. ELIJAH PARISH, A. M. Ornamented with a neat map. Charlestown, Mass. 8vo, bound. 1804.

EXPECTED originality and voluminous detail are

not the only claims of a new publication upon the impartial attention of a reviewer. The man, who publishes a work, whether original, or compiled, enters into covenant with the public. He voluntarily renders himself responsible both to the present and future generation for the natural effects, which may result from his writings. In a country, where education and reading are diffused through all ranks, the responsibility of an author is raised, and the importance of works, prepared for general and common use, is greatly. increased. It cannot then be denied, that in New England, where every man may read, elementary works and those, designed for schools, academies, and private families, sustain a high and distinguished rank. They are the manuals of our youth; and the impressions, received at this early period, are as important, as life itself. We cannot here refrain from deprecating the evils, which have already arisen through the prevalence of catchpenny grammars and other school books, whose authors are greedy of gain, or mere novices in the elements, they profess to teach.

The preface of the work, now under review, permits us to hope better things. A large proportion of the work was compiled several years since for the supplement to Dobson's edition of the Encyclopedia, and inserted under the article New England. This article our authors have been induced to revise, enlarge, and publish in its present form for more general benefit. They say in their preface, "we have en“deavored faithfully to bring into view the most operative ❝ causes, near and more remote, which led to the settlement ❝of New England, with the impelling motives of the im

"mediate agents in this bold. enterprise, and to trace the 66 steps by which she has risen to her present distinguished "rank in the political, literary, and commercial world. To "render the work interesting to youth, we have labored to "clothe our ideas in plain, familiar language, and to blend "entertainment with instruction."

They inform us, that many manuscripts as well, as printed volumes have been consulted, and their essence leisurely condensed into this little work. On this last circumstance the merits of so brief a history, embracing so long a period, must principally depend. If the facts are judiciously selected, well arranged and connected, clothed in a neat and familiar style, and frequently interspersed with amusing and instructive anecdotes of men and manners, we think the publication cannot fail of doing good.

We shall now pass through the work, mentioning some of its principal contents, and making those extracts, which our limits permit; that the public may determine in what manner the authors have executed their plan, and how far the work is deserving of general use.

The first chapter, containing a brief account of the discovery and settlement of New England, and the pestilence, which soon after prevailed among the natives, is introduced by the following just observations on the benefits, derived from the study of history.

"History has always been a persuasive method of instruct"ing mankind. Many good men have in every age em-. "ployed it for this invaluable purpose. Though precepts "and admonitions often have a commanding energy, an irre"sistible influence; though the Pulpit will forever stand

ance.

unrivalled among the means of instruction and reforma❝tion, still history lends her alluring and powerful assistHer salutary light is often of incalculable impor"tance; she brings to view the exact fulfilment of scrip"ture prophecies; she displays goodness in real life with "all its felicities, vice with all its miseries. Examples of "individuals great and good, of communities distinguished

# for integrity and success, powerfully persuade to an imita❝tion of their virtues."

We find also in this chapter a tradition of the Norridgewog Indians, which may induce a belief, that the early hostility of the natives to our forefathers was not destitute of pretext, at least ; in opposition to those authors, who suppose their cruelties to have been the dictate of natural disposition.

Chapter II contains the rise and sufferings of the Puritans in England, their flight to Holland, and the evils, they there experienced. This chapter has a very affecting narrative of the misfortunes and distresses of our ancestors in their first and unsuccessful attempts to exchange England for Holland.

Chapter III and IV give us the voyage from Holland to Cape Cod, the settlement of Plymouth, and the first Indian treaty with Massasoit. The groundless apprehensions and surmises of those, who first explored the forests, are very pleasantly described in the fourth chapter.

Chapter V, VI, and VII continue the history of Indian affairs, civil and internal regulations of the colony; they relate the difficulties with the mother country, the purchase of Massachusetts, foundation of churches in Salem, Charlestown, and other towns to the establishment of a church in Newbury in 1635, with other important facts. From chapter V we extract the following notice of a duel, fought at that early period in New England.

"The practice of duelling, which has never prevailed in "New England, was introduced by two servants, who quar“relled, and fought with sword and daggar. Both were "wounded, neither of them mortally. For this disgrace"ful conduct, they were formally tried before the whole "company, and sentenced to have their heads and feet ti❝ed together, and so to remain twenty four hours, without "meat or drink.' In consequence of their penitence, a "part of their punishment was remitted."

We select also a description of Boston, "written by a

"learned Englishman, who had visited Massachusetts, in "1633'Boston,' saith he, is two miles northeast of "Roxborough. The situation is pleasant, being a peninsula, "the bay of Roxborough on the south, Charles river on the "north, marshes on the backside, not forty rods over, so that

a little fence will secure their cattle from the wolves. The greatest wants are wood and meadow land, which never "were in this place; their timber, and firewood, and hay " are brought from the islands. They are not troubled with "musketoes, wolves, or rattlesnakes. Those who live "here on their cattle, have farms in the country, the place "being more suitable for those who trade. This neck of "land is not above four miles in compass, in form almost square, has on the south side a great broad hill, on which "is a fort, which commands the still bay. On the north "side is another hill, equal in bigness, on which is a wind"mill: to the north west is a high mountain, with three "little rising hills on the top of it, wherefore it is called "Tramount. Although this town is not the greatest, nor "richest, it is the most noted and frequented, being the "centre of the plantations, where the monthly courts are kept. The town has very good land, affording rich corn "fields, and fruitful gardens, sweet and pleasant springs. "The inhabitants keep their swine and cattle at Muddy. "river, in the summer, while their corn is on the ground, "but bring them to town in the winter.”

Chapter VIII contains among other particulars the establishment of a representative government, the enaction of a code of laws, and a biographical sketch of the excellent Mr. Higginson, the first pastor of Salem church. From this we extract an anecdote respecting the mode of his invitation to exchange Leicester for New England.

"The governor and company of Massachusetts Bay, in New "England, determined, in 1629, to send over some ships to begin a plantation. Hearing Mr. Higginson's situation, they sent two messengers to invite him to join their com<< pany, engaging to support him on the passage. These messengers, understanding that Mr. Higginson was in

**daily expectation of officers to carry him to London, deter"mined to have a little sport. Accordingly, they went "boldly to his door, and with loud knocks, cried where is "Mr. Higginson, we must speak with Mr. Higginson. "His affrighted wife ran to his chamber, entreating him to "conceal himself. He replied, no, I will go down and "speak with them, and the will of the Lord be done.' As "they entered his hall with an assumed boldness, and "roughness of address, they presented him some papers; saying, Sir, we come from London; our business is to carry you to London, as you may see by these papers. "I thought so, exclaimed Mrs. Higginson; indeed all the ἐσ people in the room as well as she were confirmed in their "opinion, that these blades were pursuants.' Mr. Higgin

son soon found himself invited to Massachusetts by the 86 governor, and company; he welcomed his guests, had a "free conversation, and after taking proper time to ascer "tain his duty, resolved to cross the Atlantic."

From chapter IX, which gives us the settlement of New Hampshire and Maine, we extract the following general character of the settlers of New England.

"The first settlers of New England were certainly a re"markable people; of a character peculiarly adapted to "those important designs in Providence, which they were "to fulfil. They were destined to plant and subdue a wil"derness, filled with savage and ferocious enemies; to lay "the foundation of a great empire; and this too under the jealous and unpropitious eye of their parent country. Accordingly, they were enterprising, brave, patient of labor "and sufferings, and possessed a firmness of spirit, and a

zeal for religion bordering on enthusiasm. They had al"so among them their full proportion of the learned and "best informed men of that age. A body of men more re"markable for their piety, more exemplary in their morals, "more respectable for their wisdom, never before, nor since, ❝ commenced the settlement of any country. What have

❝ been considered as blemishes in their character seemed

હ necessary in their situation. Inextinguishable zeal for