the Boston Weekly Magazine, published by Gilbert & Dean, and requested Mr. Shaw to encourage the periodical by contributions to its pages.

Oct. 23. "At a meeting of the Anthology Society, at Mr. Gardiner's in Franklin Place, it was voted, on motion of Mr. Emerson, seconded by Mr. Shaw, that a Library of periodical publications be instituted for the use of the Society." Several members, of whom is Mr. Shaw, make donations towards such an object. Thus commenced the nucleus of the Boston Athenæum.

Oct. 30. From Dr. Waterhouse at Cambridge. "Dr. Waterhouse acknowledges himself gratified in finding that any part of his communications have met the approbation of the editors of the Monthly Anthology. The scientific part of the essays, entitled The Botanist, are transcripts of parts of a course of lectures, began about eighteen years ago, with a view of introducing and establishing natural history, especially botany, in the University at Cambridge. Occurrences and local circumstances compelled him to drop botany, for a time, to make room for the history of that science and of botanical gardens. He hopes, however, to join on and continue the thread of the discussion from Numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5, but his quotidianical lectures prevent it for the present. Dr. W. dares not accept the invitation to review any work whatever; for besides a thorough knowledge of the subject, a reviewer must possess a rare assemblage of extraordinary qualifications; among which may be mentioned that of thinking down all his prejudices, and being able, with the clear con

science of a juror, to give a verdict agreeably to that golden rule of Shakspeare,

'Nothing extenuate,

Nor set down aught in malice.""

Oct. 31. Mr. Shaw is chosen by the Anthology Society, to write a retrospect of political and historical works, during six months, for their periodical.

Nov. 1. Among his papers is an interesting sketch of the character of Dr. James Currie, under this date.

Nov. 3. A communication from Josiah Quincy in New York, relative to paying the expenses of Professor Peck, of Harvard College, while in Europe.

Nov. 4. A letter from Caleb P. Wayne in Philadelphia concerning collections for the Anthology Reading Room. "It will afford me much pleasure to aid you in your pursuits, and I will most cheerfully use my endeavors to procure the pamphlets you are anxious to obtain.”

Nov. 21. The Anthology Society appoint Mr. Shaw to write the number, called The Remarker, for their work.

Dec. 25. As he was still active in the collecting of tracts, Josiah Quincy writes him from Washington, D. C. "I retain duplicates here, with one of which I mean to feed your hobby."

Dec. 27. From John Q. Adams in Washington to Mr. Shaw in Boston. "I have to thank you for the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst. and for

the last number of the Anthology, which came at the same time. I am much pleased with the spirit of this publication, which appears to improve as it advances, and which I hope you will not suffer to flag. You observe that a regular contribution from me would be useful to the success of the work. The state of my health, and the real pressure of occupations which I have upon me, forbids my undertaking to furnish a constant portion of composition for every month. I hope to prove my good will to the association and the establishment by some occasional assistance from time to time. I am even now reading with particular attention the Life of Washington, with a view to the promise I have made respecting it; and although its accomplishment may be delayed until the work itself shall be out complete, I shall probably make up in point of quantity for the lapse of time. I shall always be glad to furnish you with pamphlets or papers which may be useful to you, approving much the additional eight pages you propose to give in future and the objects to which they will be devoted. But I question whether you will have space enough to give the Congressional debates on interesting subjects, unless it be in a very concise abridgment of them.

"You know we have a Tunisian embassy here, and there are also deputations from eight or ten Indian tribes on visits to the seat of government. The Africans and Americans sometimes meet, and are objects of mutual curiosity to each other. One of the committees of the House of Representatives on the President's message, have reported to build

fifty gun-boats and six seventy-four gun-ships. The gun-boats I presume will pass; but I fear the seventy-four's will sink in the passage."

Mr. Shaw reads a Review of the Life of Dr. Johnson, President of Columbia College, N. Y., before the Anthology Society, which they accept for publication.

1806, Jan. 2. From William Cranch in Washington. "I received a letter from you some time ago, with two numbers of the Anthology, for which I thank you. I have delayed answering it, in the hope that I should be able to promise you a review of the work you mention; but having been engaged in court every day since the receipt of your letter, and expecting to continue so engaged until the middle of April, I am afraid I shall not be able to comply with your request soon enough to answer your purpose."

CHAPTER X.

Review-Anthology-Closed doors of Congress-ThermometricalFemale Asylum-Catastrophe of Leyden-Reading Room in Boston-Guinea Ships-Ballston Water-Fear of Political Opponents-Ree's Cyclopedia-Rhetorical Lectures-London-British Museum-Choice of a Wife-Gleaner-Select Speeches-Progress of the Reading Room-Order for the purchase of Books in Europe -History of New England.

1806, Jan. 3. A letter from Miss Hannah Adams at Medford. An extract from it shows her accustomed modesty as a writer. "In compliance with your request, I have carefully perused the History of North and South America; but I find myself so deficient in the task of reviewing, that I dare not suppose what I have written can be of any use; and I feel mortified that I must disappoint your expectation in this respect."

Jan. 6. A letter from Robert Smith in Charleston. "After a pleasing though somewhat fatiguing journey, I have arrived at this place. I have now to request the favor of your obtaining the numbers of the Anthology, issued subsequent to. July, and sending them to me. by the first safe conveyance. Remember me affectionately to such of my Massachusetts friends as inquire for me. Be assured, I often reccollect with pleasure the delight