emoir, the first of the volumes before us contains an
account of the descendants of Robinson, from the pen of Dr. Allen, of
Northampton, Massachusetts, from which it appears that they are "very
numerous, scattered over New England and other States of the Union, and
occupying respectable and useful stations in life." Then come "New
Essays; or Observations, Divine and Moral, collected out of the Holy
Scriptures, ancient and modern writers, both divine and human; as also
out of the great volume of men's manners; tending to the furtherance of
knowledge and virtue." We give the title in full, because it is the best
and briefest description we can give of the work itself. The most
cursory perusal is sufficient to show the erudition of the author, and a
comparatively slight examination raises our estimation of his sagacity
and wisdom. These essays, the last productions of his pen, are not
unworthy of circulation with those of Lord Bacon, of which they
frequently remind us by apt allusions, sententious definitions,
clear-headed distinctions, and sharp antitheses, no less than by
profound insight into the workings of human nature. We had marked
passages for quotation, which our limits will not permit. One, however,
we must cite, for the incidental light it throws on the character of
Robinson as a speaker and preacher. We are not aware that any of his
contemporaries have remarked upon the peculiarity thus disclosed; but it
accords with the judgment otherwise formed of the man. In an essay
entitled, "Of Speech and Silence," containing the pith and marrow of all
Carlyle has written on the subject, without any of his exaggeration, we
have:

"Both length and shortness of speech may be used commendably in
their time; as mariners sometimes sail with larger spread, and
sometimes with narrower-gathered sails. But as some are large
in speech out of abundance of matter, and upon due
consideration; so the most multiply words, either from weakness
or vanity. Wise men suspect and examine their words ere they
suffer them to pass from them, and to speak the more sparingly;
but fools pour out theirs by talents, without fear or wit.
Besides, wise men speak to purpose, and so have but something
to say: the others speak every thing of every thing, and,
therefore, take liberty to use long wanderings. Lastly, they
think to make up that in number, or repetition of words, which
is wantin