language, to obviate any suspicion of mis-representation; but in commenting upon their lucubrations, the Reviewer has assumed the privilege of stating his own views, and expressing his sentiments, freely and without reserve. Whether the conclusions at which he has arrived from a careful investigation of the whole case, be correct or not, must be left to the decision of a tribunal that seldom pronounces an erroneous judgment; but from whose decision, whether right or wrong, he is aware there can be no appeal; namely-PUBLIC OPINION. X. Lord George Germain, as Secretary of State for the American XII. Viscount Sackville's connexion with Mr. Richard Cumberland XIII. THE INVESTIGATORS OF JUNIUS. THE question respecting the Author of Junius's Letters is thought, we believe, by philosophers, to be one of more curiosity than importance. We are very far from pretending that the happiness of mankind is materially interested in its determination. But it must be viewed as a point of literary history; and among discussions of this description it ranks very high. That the community has long taken an extraordinary interest in this question, that a great and universal curiosity has been felt to know who wrote the letters, seems quite sufficient to justify a good deal of pains in the research, and satisfaction in the discovery. Edinburgh Review, vol. xxix. p. 94. Surely the question about Junius is in itself far more important than the question about the Epistles of Phalaris; and who ever blamed Bentley, for wasting over it oil and ink, labour and time. Mr. E. H. Barker's Preface, p. 43. The chances of discoveries being made are multiplied in proportion to the number of those who become Investigators. Printing Machine. B CHAPTER I. Inquiry whether Junius was the "sole depository of his own secret."-Remarks on the Correspondence between Junius and Wilkes.—Mr. Cumberland's opinion of Junius.—The consequences of the numerous unsuccessful attempts to discover Junius on public opinion.-Ample materials for making the discovery, now before the public.-Reasons why Junius's descendants cannot be expected to divulge the secret. -An account of Woodfall's complete Edition of Junius's Letters; and of the Publications advocating the claims of the various candidates for the Authorship of the Letters.— Particulars of the investigations instituted by Messrs. Wilkes and Butler, and by Dr. Good, and their conclusions respecting the Characteristics of Junius.-The relative merits of these investigators examined.-Observations on the connexion between Junius and Woodfall. |