odds, and the heroic side of our own nature awakens and responds to the author’s plea.  The fourth, and perhaps most characteristic thing in the essay is the style, which is remarkably clear, forceful, and convincing.  Jeffrey, the editor of the Edinburgh Review, wrote enthusiastically when he received the manuscript, “The more I think, the less I can conceive where you picked up that style.”  We still share in the editor’s wonder; but the more we think, the less we conceive that such a style could be picked up.  It was partly the result of a well-stored mind, partly of unconscious imitation of other writers, and partly of that natural talent for clear speaking and writing which is manifest in all Macaulay’s work.

In the remaining essays we find the same general qualities which characterize Macaulay’s first attempt.  They cover a wide range of subjects, but they may be divided into two general classes, the literary or critical, and the historical.  Of the literary essays the best are those on Milton, Addison, Goldsmith, Byron, Dryden, Leigh Hunt, Bunyan, Bacon, and Johnson.  Among the best known of the historical essays are those on Lord Clive, Chatham, Warren Hastings, Hallam’s Constitutional History, Von Ranke’s History of the Papacy, Frederick the Great, Horace Walpole, William Pitt, Sir William Temple, Machiavelli, and Mirabeau.  Most of these were produced in the vigor of young manhood, between 1825 and 1845, while the writer was busy with practical affairs of state.  They are often one-sided and inaccurate, but always interesting, and from them a large number of busy people have derived their first knowledge of history and literature.

The best of Macaulay’s poetical work is found in the Lays of Ancient Rome (1842), a collection of ballads in the style of Scott, which sing of the old heroic days of the Rome Roman republic.  The ballad does not require much thought or emotion.  It demands clearness, vigor, enthusiasm, action; and it suited Macaulay’s genius perfectly.  He was, however, much more careful than other ballad writers in making his narrative true to tradition.  The stirring martial spirit of these ballads, their fine workmanship, and their appeal to courage and patriotism made them instantly popular.  Even to-day, after more than fifty years, such ballads as those on Virginius and Horatius at the Bridge are favorite pieces in many school readers.

The History of England, Macaulay’s masterpiece, is still one of the most popular historical works in the English language.  Originally it was intended to cover the period from the accession of James II, in 1685, to the death of George IV, in 1830.  Only five volumes of the work were finished, and so thoroughly did Macaulay go into details that these five volumes cover only sixteen years.  It has been estimated that to complete the work on the same scale would require some fifty volumes and the labor of one man for over a century.