desiderata in literature, which I am afraid it will be reserved for myself to fill." "There are so many chasms," said Hamilton, "which your benevolence proposes to supply, that I am apprehensive you will hardly be able to bear the laborious task." "Oh! I have a very strong mind. One work much wanting is a history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. You, sir," appealing to Dr. Wentbridge, "will admit that Gibbon's religion is not of the best." "Most readily," replied the doctor. "In his views and arrangement," rejoined Dicky "I will demonstrate that he is extremely defective, that he is narrow, uncomprehensive, and confused." "The eviction of such a proposition, would convey a new truth to my mind," said the doctor; "but so important a subject requires a written treatise" "That I intend." "Have you written any thing historical, sir?" "O, yes,
