The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia. Edited by John P. Foley. (Funk and
Wagnalls.)—This massive volume contains more than nine thousand extracts from the writings, correspondence, &c., of Thomas Jefferson. The name is probably not familiar to every one on this side of the Atlantic, whatever it may be on the other. We may say, therefore, that he took an active part in the struggle of the States for independence, that he went as Minister to France in 1784, was Secretary of State under Washington 1790-1793, was Vice-President 1796-1800, and President (for two terms) from 1801-1809. He died at the age of eighty-three on July 4th (appropriately enough) in the year 1826. He bad been invited to the Celebration, and declined. The publication of such a volume as this is somewhat trying to any man's character for consistency. Thomas Jefferson was before the public for nearly sixty years, and had to give many opinions in haste, and under circumstances which were severely trying to patience and self-control. We are almost disposed to question the propriety of massing together the utterances of times far distant from each o' her and in circumstances widely different. For England Jefferson has seldom a kind word to say. Nothing is too bad for George III. (yet he consented to be presented to this tyrannical Monarch in 1796). The opinions on slavery are striking. He was a slave- holder, but he hated the system. Altogether, though the book is'primarily meant for the American reader, it contains much that is curious and even valuable.
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