Here is an awkward conclusion of the period, and ascribeable to a too nice regard for grammatical rules. _They are most eagerly bent on_, would perhaps have been better; but a different construction would have been still less exceptionable. There is however a greater fault in the construction. By employing _those_ and _most eagerly_, the idea is, that savages, on the appearance of unfavorable omens, would abandon _those_ measures _only_, on which they are _most eagerly_ bent, and not others that they might be pursuing with less earnestness. Why could not the author have said in plain English--"they instantly abandon any measure they are pursuing." This writer's stile likewise abounds with synonims; as _strengthen_ and _confirm_, _quicken_ and _animate_; when one term would fully express the meaning. "Strong liquors _awake_ a savage from his _torpid state_--_give a brisker motion to his spirits_, and _enliven_ him more thoroughly than either dancing or gaming."--Book. 4. What a needless repetition of the same idea! The author is also very liberal in the use of _all_--"_all_ the _transports_ and _frenzy_ of intoxication."--"War, which between extensive kingdoms, is carried on with little animosity, is prosecuted by small tribes, with _all_ the rancor of a private quarrel." In short, the stile of Dr. Robertson, the great, the philosophic historian, is too labored. The mind of the reader is kept constantly engaged in attending to the structure of the periods; it is fatigued with words and drawn from the chain of events. The stile of Kaims, tho not easy and flowing, is precise, and generally accurate. The stile of Blair's Lectures is less correct than that of his Sermons; but at the same time, less formal in the structure of the periods. These remarks, the reader will observe, respect stile only; for the merit of Robertson, as a judicious and faithful historian; and of Kaims and Blair, as critics, is above praise or censure. In no particular is the false taste of the English more obvious, than in the promiscuous encomiums they have bestowed on Gibbon, as a historian. His work is not properly a "_History_ of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire;" but a "Poetico-Historical Description of certain Persons and Events, embellished with suitable imagery and episodes, designed to show the author's talent in selecting words, as well as to delight the ears of his readers." In short, his history should be entitled, "A Display of Words;" except some chapters which are excellent commentaries on the history of the Roman Empire.