first took the form of book publication; and Macaulay’s “Miscellanies” were published in Boston in 1840, and in Philadelphia in 1842.  As these volumes began to go to England, for Macaulay’s own protection they were republished by Longman, revised by the author, in 1843, and obtained an immediate and immense sale,—­reaching one hundred and twenty thousand copies in England,—­which added to the fame and income of Macaulay.  But he was never satisfied with the finish of his own productions; the only thing which seemed to comfort him was that the last essays were better than the first.  In addition to his labors for the Edinburgh, was the publication of a volume of his poems in 1842, which was also enthusiastically received by his admirers.  His last notable essays were a chivalrous article on Madame D’Arblay (January, 1843); an entirely charming account of Addison and the wits of Queen Anne’s reign (July, 1843); an interesting review of the Memoirs of Barere, the French revolutionist and writer (April, 1844); and finally a second article on Lord Chatham (October, 1844), which is considered finer than the first one written twenty years earlier.  More and more, however, the project of writing a History of England had taken possession of him, and he began now to forego all other literary occupation, and to devote all his leisure time to that great work.

During much of the time that Macaulay had continued writing his reviews, at the rate of about two in a year, he was an active member of Parliament, frequently addressing the House of Commons, and earning the gratitude of the country by his liberal and enlightened views,—­especially those in reference to the right of Unitarians to their chapels, to the enlarged money-grant given to the Irish Roman Catholic Maynooth College, and to the extension of copyrights.  He rarely spoke without careful preparation.  His speeches were forcible and fine.  In the higher field of debate, however, as we have already intimated, he was not successful.  In 1845 Sir Robert Peel retired, the Whigs again coming into power; and in 1846 Macaulay accepted the office of Paymaster of the Forces, because its duties were comparatively light and would not much interfere with his literary labors, while it added L2000 a year to his income.  During the session of 1846 and 1847, while still in Parliament, he spoke only five times, although the House was ever ready to listen to him.

In the year 1847 the disruption of the Scotch Church was effected, and in the bitterness engendered by that movement Macaulay lost his popularity with his Edinburgh constituents.  He seemed indifferent to their affairs; he answered their letters irregularly and with almost contemptuous brevity.  He had no sympathy with the radicals who at that time controlled a large number of votes, and he refused to contribute towards electioneering expenses.  Above all, he was absorbed in his History, and had lost much of his interest in politics.  In consequence he failed to be re-elected, and not unwillingly retired to private life.