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“Hume and Smollet Abridged, and Continued to the Accession of George IV. By John Robinson, D.D. With 160 Engravings. New York. 1824. 12mo. pp. 501,” The United States Literary Gazette, vol. 1, no. 13 (15 October 1824), p. 196.
[James G. Carter?]
The United States Literary Gazette had a Boston imprint and was published from April 1824 to September 1826. One of its first editors, and the most likely author of the review reprinted below, was James G. Carter (1795–1849). Carter was an educational reformer. He came from humble beginnings and was educated at Groton Academy and Harvard College. At the time the review reprinted below was first published, Carter was teaching at the school he had founded in 1820 at Lancaster, Massachusetts. On Carter see Frederick M. Binder, “James Gordon Carter,” ANB, vol. 4, pp. 487–8. On The United States Literary Gazette see API, p. 213; BAP, p. 165.
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WE think the true principles of education — both the science and the art — are as well understood here, as in England, or elsewhere. The attention of scholars, and of practical men, is directed quite as much to that important subject; and it is reasonable to believe, that our best books for schools, and for domestic instruction, will soon cease to be the re-prints of English works. This is already the case in a considerable degree. Many of the schoolbooks now in most common use, are of home manufacture; and of the new works which the press of this country is pouring forth with a profusion which will soon wipe away all reproach of literary barrenness, the number of those which relate, in some way or other, to the work of education, bears a very large proportion to that of the whole. In astronomy, in geography, and, more than all, in arithmetic, we think that Wilkins, Worcester, and Colburn, have fairly driven from the field competitors, who had all the advantage of established and extensive usage. In other branches, less has been done, and in history, little indeed is yet accomplished. We must, therefore, be contented with using works provided for us in foreign lands; — and may be glad that the supply from abroad is in a good measure satisfactory, in respect of quality as well as quantity.
The pretensions, and the merit of the work now under notice, may be stated in few words. From all the examination we have been able to make, it appears to be a faithful abridgment of Hume and Smollet, as to facts; and with respect to the style of a work like this, it is, perhaps, praise enough to say, that it has no striking characteristics. Many expressions — even many periods and paragraphs, appear to be copied verbatim from the originals; and the author’s own style, in those parts which are wholly re-written or added, is animated, and, generally speaking, in good taste. The prejudices of Hume — if prejudices they were — which, in the opinion of those whose political views differ from his, have influenced and falsified his account of the Commonwealth, and of the reigns of the last of the Stuarts, are still more prominent in this abridgment; — either because the sentiments of the author are necessarily stated in an abridgment with less periphrasis or qualification, or because Mr Robinson agrees in opinion with Hume, and is willing to say just what he thinks. The engravings are from the most valuable and celebrated pictures, or rather from miniature copies by Mr Craig. The drawing of them is very good; but the American publishers did not employ the best of our artists, or else the engravings of the copy now before us were not struck off until the plates had been considerably worn. Miss Edgeworth says, that the young learn more readily, and more effectually, from pictures than from books; but both together, form perhaps a better instrument of instruction, than either alone. These engravings are numerous, and represent strikingly the most important facts in English history; and, with the correctness of the statements and general liveliness of the style, make the work very well suited to the domestic reading of children.