THE middle of the Eighteenth Century forms one of the most remarkable, as well as most important periods in English history. From the year 1750 to 1780, embracing the last ten years of the reign of George II, and twenty years of that of George III, the annals of Britain are filled with a record of events, greatly diversified in their character, and affecting in the highest degree the welfare and prosperity of the nation. At the commencement of this period, Robert Walpole had just closed his long administration, and the elder Pitt, England's noblest statesman, had been entrusted with the reins of government. Never were they managed by an abler hand-never did any other minister so greatly enhance the prosperity and the glory of the nation. The first term of his administration presents us no remarkable events. The chief minister of the Realm, though a statesman of transcendent powers, could not at once and single-handed, recover a kingdom from effeminacy and corruption, into which it had been long declining. The second period of his administration, however, was productive of the most important results. By his wonderful powers of mind and his unequalled influence, he recovered the nation from its state of inactivity and stupor, checked the tide of adversity which was threatening to sweep away all elements of power, both at hoine and abroad, and enrolled in the annals of Britain a long catalogue of the most brilliant naval and military achievements. He infused a new spirit of activity and enterprise, not merely into the various departments of government, but throughout the entire nation; and in fine, fully substantiated his conviction expressed to the Duke of Dorset, “I am sure, my Lord, I can save this Country."

But this happy period in England's history was interrupted by the sudden death of the old king, and the accession to the throne of his grandson, George III, whose reign, directed as it was by profligate and corrupt advisers, proved exceedingly disastrous to the interests of the nation. An immediate result was the retirement from office of the

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minister whose administration had been so brilliant, and productive of so great prosperity. His successors were men by no means qualified in talent or in excellence to fill the station thus made vacant. The King, although well-meaning, was swayed by his political counsellors, some of them weak, many of them profligate and corrupt. What wonder that, with such men at its head, the nation should suffer, not merely from the influence of their private example, but also from their public measures! Intrigue and faction, fomented by bribery and reckless ambition, were sapping the hitherto firm foundation of the state. ministry unqualified to govern, were also incapable of agreement. From a Parliament, the price of whose votes could be estimated in pounds and pence, there could be expected but little exhibition of legislative wisdom or of sound political policy-but little action tending to secure the welfare of the nation, or to promote harmony within its borders. Discontent and disorder soon became everywhere manifest. At this time even a Marquis of the Realm, when moving that Parliament appoint a day to take into consideration the state of the nation, scrupled not to speak of "the present unhappy condition of affairs, and the universal discontent of the people," attributing them to the maladministration of the Government, which, as he said, had adopted a maxim and policy fatal to the liberties of the country. So alarming became the aspect of affairs, that even the ex-minister Pitt, at this time Earl of Chatham, came forth from his retirement to employ once more the power of his irresistible eloquence in rescuing his beloved country from impending ruin.

Such being the state of affairs in England, and such the character of her Government, it can be no matter of wonder, that there should arise in many patriotic minds the earnest inquiry, How shall deliverance be sought? In what way can a corrupt ministry be reached? How can a deluded king be convinced of his errors?

It was at such a crisis that there appeared in the London Daily Advertiser a series of Letters, over the signature of Junius, which at once drew to themselves the attention of the nation, and excited the most intense desire to discover their author. The first letter bearing this signature was dated January, 1769, although there can be little doubt that others of similar character and design had been previously published by the same author under a different name. In bold and vigorous language these Letters portrayed the evils under which Britain was laboring, and censured in no measured terms those to whom these evils were attributed. The Heads of the various departments of government were the first objects at which were hurled the terrible bolts of bold denunciation, and the piercing shafts of satire. Their effect upon those at whom they were directed, coming as they did from an unknown source, has been compared to that of the fearful handwriting on the wall of Belshazzar's palace. The wonderful familiarity they displayed, not merely with the public measures and the more secret counsels of the Cabinet, but also with the daily transactions of their private lives-the unprecedented boldness with which the evils of an existing administration were set forth-and the impenetrable con

cealment which shrouded their author, could but render him an object of the greatest terror to those whom he attacked. Titled nobility and lofty station, instead of shielding, only served to render their possessor a more sure mark for the secret assailant. The tremendous power with which Junius wielded his pen, and the fearlessness of his denunciation, caused many a Judge and Lord to tremble lest the next bolt be aimed at him. And when at length the sacredness of Majesty itself was violated, terror reigned in Parliament, Cabinet, and Court!

The effects produced by these Letters naturally suggest to every mind an inquiry in reference to their style and character. Why were they regarded with so much dread? What gave them such terrific power, that even Majesty should quail before them?

That they were thus regarded, is of itself sufficient evidence to prove them of no ordinary character. No puerile production of a common newspaper politician, however much truth it contained, could have so aroused the hostility of England's Lords, and the intense interest of the entire nation. Doubtless there were many, who with patriotic zeal discharged their puny weapons in their Country's cause, but these weapons either failed to reach their aim, or fell powerless from the shield of lofty station.

But the style of Junius was such as few could imitate, and none could equal. His papers were manifestly from the pen of no insignificant scribbler. They betray the most thorough study and perfect mastery of the English language, and have been pronounced unequalled examples of the energy and power of the pure Saxon. There is a peculiar perspicuity and force with which every thought is presented, and every clause made to bear directly upon its object. They seem to combine in themselves every element essential to a vigorous, energetic style. There is the power which a deeply important subject affordsthe power of a full and complete understanding of the facts to be presented the power which is imparted alone by sincerity and by a deep interest in the object to be gained. While there is breathed forth in them a spirit of strong and genuine patriotism, nowhere else can there be found such withering rebuke, such spirited invective, such severity of sarcasm, and such terrible irony. The Letter of May 30th, to the Duke of Grafton, and that of Sept. 19th, 1769, to the Duke of Bedford, well illustrate the power of Junius in this variety of style, and check all wonder at the rage of those at whom were pointed his envenomed shafts. Not a line but presses its sting into his victim, and leaves him writhing in agony.

But the limits of this article forbid a complete examination of the characteristics of the Junius Papers. A full understanding of them can be gained only by an attentive perusal. Says one who has diligently studied these writings, "they are a solid fabric of human intellect, which will forever stand the test of criticism; a fabric the longer we gaze upon, the greater is our admiration. The intrinsic ability of these Letters, their fine 'flow of language, their disclosure of public events, the boldness with which they were written and ushered into the world; all combine to stamp upon them that eulogium which Junius himself,

without vanity, has inserted in his Dedication to the English nation :'when Kings and Ministers are forgotten, when the force and direction of personal satire is no longer understood, and when measures are only felt in their remotest consequences, this book will, I believe, be found to contain principles worthy to be transmitted to posterity.""

From the consideration of the character of these Letters, and of the circumstances which called them forth, the mind naturally turns to con, template their author.

At the present time it is difficult to form a conception of the sensation created by the appearance of these Letters. To form any adequate conception, we must consider the deplorable condition of public affairs, the agitated state of the public mind, and also the eagerness with which a new and unusual champion in the arena of political strife is always received. We must remember, too, the boldness of Junius' attacks, the severity of his style, and the station and character of those in relation to whom he wrote. Under such a combination of circumstances, conspiring together to produce an intense desire in the minds of all to ascertain the author of these Letters, Junius remained, and to our day remains, undiscovered and unknown.

No problem of a more curious nature, or of more difficult solution, has been presented to the literary world. The King and his ministry, as well as those at the head of the Judiciary, were foremost in the eager search to discover the Great Unknown. No wonder that with them inquiry was aroused, and invention racked, to discover and drag from his hiding place so dreaded an enemy! The Judiciary employed its agents the King sent forth his emissaries and spies. Every circumstance was eagerly caught, which might serve to throw a single ray of light into the darkness which enveloped him. At an expense of thousands of pounds the Publisher of the Advertiser was tried before Lord Mansfield, the most bitter enemy of Junius, but no information respecting the concealed author could be elicited. Not mere curiosity, but the bitterest hatred, the most intense thirst for revenge, and fear for the future, gave energy to this search. Every expedient which human ingenuity could devise, or human imagination conceive, was tried, but tried in vain.

But there were those engaged in endeavoring to discover Junius, moved by other incentives than hatred, revenge, or fear. Not all who read, were enemies. The popular character, the patriotic spirit, and the elevated style of his writings, gained for him a host of ardent admirers. Their curiosity to discover" who thus shot his arrows from an impenetrable concealment," was scarcely less intense than the anxiety of his enemies. But all the plans which ingenuity could devise, or vigilance execute, signally failed of the accomplishment of the desired end. In the language of Dr. Good, "Enveloped in the cloud of a fictitious name, Junius, unseen himself, beheld with secret satisfaction the vast influence of his labors, and enjoyed the universal hunt that was made to detect him in his disguise. He beheld the people extolling him, the court execrating him, and ministers, and more than ministers, trembling beneath the lash of his invisible hand."

Nor did these efforts to discover him cease when the occasion, which called forth his Letters, had passed away. Volume after volume has been written, collating every circumstance, and sifting all the evidence which can be brought to bear upon the subject, to identify Junius with one and another of his cotemporaries, but all without success; and even yet the search is not abandoned. Of the distinguished individuals, whose claims to the authorship of these Letters have found many and able supporters, the most prominent are Lord George Sackville, Lord Ashburton, Edmund Burke, and Pitt, the Earl of Chatham.

But as the grave has long ere this closed over the author, his name, thus far unknown, will probably ever defy the power of search. "I am the sole depository of my own secret," said Junius, "and it shall perish with me!" The declaration has been fulfilled! The impenetrable mystery which enshrouds him, stands out a conspicuous anomaly on the page of History. Never was the veil of secrecy more skillfully wrought, or more closely enfolded about its object. While the whole English nation were aroused,-while his praises or his curses were on every tongue, Junius preserved his secret locked in the chambers of his own breast. It is indeed a great wonder, that he could thus baffle eager search. It is a wonder far greater, that although he possessed the full assurance that his writings would be handed down from generation to generation, and be read so long as the English language endures, he could thus withhold his name, and refuse the homage of an admiring posterity. There is here presented a new fact in the history of man-the voluntary rejection of perpetual honor! It is here that Junius appears in the most interesting light. The thoughts and emotions which filled the breast of such a man, in the sole possession of a secret so universally desired and so eagerly sought, present a theme of contemplation of no ordinary character. From the elevated standpoint of knowledge he clearly beheld the efforts made for his discovery. What hopes, and fears, and passions, must have alternately swayed his mind as idle rumor and vague conjecture, with busy zeal, turned the current of popular suspicion now in one direction, and now in another! How guarded every word and every action in all his varied intercourse with his fellow men! What strong temptations to divulge his secret must have been resisted! What determination of will, and inflexibility of purpose, are manifested in its preservation! What skill and adroitness in escaping detection!

Such thoughts as these fill the mind as we close the volume of The Junius Letters. They form no uninteresting portion of English Literature. They hold no mean rank in the scale of literary merit. Their claim to our attention is founded not alone upon the occasion which called them forth, nor upon the high station of those to whom they were addressed. The political views and principles, which they profess and advocate, give them no inferior place in point of intrinsic worth. That a proper spirit is always manifested in them, none will presume to maintain. We need the author's name to determine with certainty that envy or disappointed ambition have not assisted in their