INQUIRY INTO THE SUPPOSED CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF AFRICA BY THE ANCIENTS

7 Dr. VincenT, Dean of Westminster, to Lord SHEFFIELD.’

My Lorp, - Deanry, Westminster, Nov. 6th, 1811.

Hap proof been wanting of Mr. Gibbon’s indefatigable spirit of research, his Dissertation, which you have put into my hands, would have shewn that he was as highly qualified for the great work which he accomplished, by patient industry, as by his learning, penetration, and discernment.

I have sometimes, by way of amusement, traced Mr. Gibbon through his authorities in several detached portions of his History, and on every subject but one I have found the extent of his acquisitions, the adjustment of his evidences, the accuracy of his deductions, and the com. prehensive view of his subject, such as to place him in the very first rank of historians. .

It is evident that in the earlier part of his life, before his pursuits were concentred in one great object of his ambition, he had exercised his talents in various speculations of curious inquiry, as his inclination, or perhaps accident directed. Of these your lordship has given an ample specimen already in the two volumes of his miscellaneous research; but his dissertation on Geography, Navigation and Commerce, which you now propose to communicate to the public, as it is in itself

of a superior cast, 80 it is to me, individually, of greater interest, as it VOL. Lil. | 7 ST embraces