Encouraged and animated by this success, I soon formed the design of engaging in another publication, and set myself to choose a subject. It was poverty, not ambition, or vanity, that first induced me to become an author, or rather a compiler. But I now formed the flattering idea, that I might not only help myself, but benefit the public. With this view, I engaged in writing a Summary History of New England. I selected this subject, rather for public utility, than for my own gratification. My object was to render my compilation useful to those in early life, who had not time or opportunity to peruse the large mass of materials, which, previously to my compilation, lay scattered in many publications. I knew the work would require much reading upon dry subjects, such as ancient news prints, state papers, &c. But I wrote for a bare subsistence, and never wished to gain anything from the public which I had not at least earned by laborious investigation. I also considered, that attention to such an antipoetical subject would have a tendency to keep my mind in a more healthy state, than the perusal of works which are calculated to excite the feelings. I therefore resolved to fix my attention by investigating simple facts, and by relinquishing to a great extent the reading works of taste and imagination. When I compiled this work, there was not any history of New England extant, except Mather’s Magnalia, and Neale’s History; and these extended only to an early period in the annals of our country. If there had been only one work, which reached to the acceptance of the Federal constitution, my task had been far less laborious. There was no authentic account of Rhode Island, except that of Callender’s. This induced me to spend some time in Providence, in order to examine the Records in the Secretary’s office. The perusal of old manuscripts, which were damaged by time, was painful to my eyes; but as they were naturally strong, I did not for some time perceive the injury I suffered from the task.