Apuleius; 2. Discourses on the first Decade of Livy ;" 3. "A History of Florence;" 4. "The Life of Castruccio Castracani; 5. "A Treatise on the Military Art;" 6. "A Treatise on the Emigration of the Northern Nations ;" 7. Another entitled "Del Principe," the Prince. This famous treatise, which was first published in 1515, and intended as a sequel to his discourses on the first decade of Livy, has created very discordant opinions between critics of apparently equal skill and judgment, some having considered him as the friend of truth, liberty, and virtue, and others as the advocate of fraud and tyranny. Most generally "the Prince" has been viewed in the latter light, all its maxims and counsels being directed to the maintenance of power, however acquired, and by any means; and one reason for this opinion is perhaps natural enough, namely, its being dedicated to a nephew of pope Leo X. printed at Rome, re-published in other Italian cities, and long read with attention, and even applause, without censure or reply. On the other hand it has been thought impossible that Machiavel, who was born under a republic, who was employed as one of its secretaries, who performed so many important embassies, and who in his conversation always dwelt on the glorious actions of Brutus and Cassius, should have formed such a system against the liberty and happiness of mankind. Hence it has frequently been urged on his behalf, that it was not his intention to suggest wise and faithful counsels, but to represent in the darkest colours the schemes of a tyrant, and thereby excite odium against him. Even lord Bacon seems to be of this opinion. The historian of Leo considers his conduct in a different point of view; and indeed all idea of his being ironical in this work is dissipated by the fact, mentioned by Mr. Roscoe, that "many of the most exceptionable doctrines in "The Prince," are also to be found in his "Discourses," where it cannot be pretended that he had any indirect purpose in view; and in the latter he has in some instances referred to the former for the further elucidation of his opinions. In popular opinion "The Prince" has affixed to his name a lasting stigma; and Machiavelism has long been a received appellation for perfidious and infamous politics. Of the historical writings of Machiavel, the "Life of Castruccio Castracani" is considered as partaking too much of the character of a romance; but his "History of Florence," comprising the

events of that republic, between 1205 and 1494, which was written while the author sustained the office of historiographer of the republic, although not always accurate in point of fact, may upon the whole be read with both pleasure and advantage. It has been of late years discovered that the diary of the most important events in Italy from 1492 to 1512, published by the Giunti in 1568, under the name of Biagio Buonaccorsi, is in fact a part of the notes of Machiavel, which he had intended for a continuation of his history; but which, after his death, remained in the hands of his friend Buonaccorsi. This is a circumstance of which we were not aware when we drew up the account of this author under the name Esperiente.

In English we have a translation of the whole of Machiavel's works by Farneworth, and editions of them are common in almost every language.'

MACKENZIE (Sir GEORGE), an ingenious and learned writer, and eminent lawyer of Scotland, was descended from an ancient and noble family, his father Simon Mackenzie being brother to the earl of Seaforth. He was born at Dundee, in the county of Angus, in 1636, and gave early proofs of an extraordinary genius, having gone through the usual classic authors, at ten years of age. He was then sent to the universities of Aberdeen and St. Andrew's, where he finished his studies in logic and philosophy before he had attained his sixteenth year. After this, he turned his thoughts to the civil law, and to increase his knowledge of it, travelled into France, and became a close student in the university of Bourges, for about three years. On his return home, he was called to the bar, became an advocate in 1656, and gained the character of an eminent pleader in a few years.

While he made the law his profession and chief study, he cultivated a taste for polite literature; and produced some works which added not a little to his reputation. In 1660, came out his "Aretino, or serious Romance," in which he shewed a gay and exuberant fancy. In 1663, he published his "Religio Stoici;" or a short discourse upon several divine and moral subjects, with a friendly address to the fanatics of all sects and sorts. This was followed, in 1665, by "A Moral Essay," preferring solitude to pub

1 Tiraboschi-Moreri.-Ginguené Hist. Litt. D'Italie.-Roscoe's Leo.-Saxii, Onomasticon.

lic employment, and all its advantages; such as fame, command, riches, pleasures, conversation, &c. This was answered by John Evelyn, esq. in another essay, in which the preference was given to public employment. In 1667, he printed his "Moral gallantry;" a discourse, in which he endeavours to prove, that the point of honour, setting aside all other ties, obliges men to be virtuous; and that there is nothing so mean and unworthy of a gentleman, as vice to which is added, a consolation against calumnies, shewing how to bear them with chearfulness and patience. Afterwards he published "The moral history of frugality," with its opposite vices, covetousness, niggardliness, prodigality, and luxury, dedicated to the university of Oxford; and "Reason," an essay, dedicated to the hon. Robert Boyle, esq. All these works, except "Aretino," were collected and printed together at London, in 1713, 8vo, under the title of "Essays upon several moral subjects" and have been regarded as abounding in good sense and wit, although upon the whole the reasoning is rather superficial. Besides these essays, which were the production of such hours as could be spared from his profession, he was the author of a play and a poem. The poem is entitled "Cælia's country-house and closet;" and in it are the following lines upon the earl of Montrose: "Montrose, his country's glory, and its shame, Cæsar in all things equall'd, but his fame, &c."

Which our predecessor quoted principally to shew, that Pope himself, infinitely superior as his talents in poetry were, did not disdain to imitate this author, in his "Essay on Criticism:"

"At length Erasmus, that great injur'd name,
The glory of the priesthood, and the shame, &c."

Soon after Mr. Mackenzie had been employed as counsel for the marquis of Argyle, he was promoted to the office of a judge in the criminal court; which he discharged with so much credit and reputation, that he was made. king's advocate in 1674, and one of the lords of the privycouncil in Scotland. He was also knighted by his majesty. In these offices he met with a great deal of trouble on account of the rebellions which happened in his time; and his office of advocate requiring him to act with severity, he did not escape being censured for having, in the deaths of some particular persons who were executed, stretched

the laws too far. This alludes to the noted trials of Baillie of Jerviswood, that of the earl of Argyle, and the prosecutions against Mitchel and Learmonth, events, which make a great figure in the history of that unhappy period; but in the opinion of the late lord Woodhouselee, "his own defence will fully justify his conduct in the breast of every man whose judgment is not perverted by the same prejudices, hostile to all good government, which led those infatuated offenders to the doom they merited." (See Mackenzie's Works, Vindication of the government of Charles II.)

Upon the abrogation of the penal laws by James II. sir George, though he had always been remarkable for his loyalty, and censured for his zeal, thought himself obliged to resign his post; being convinced that he could not discharge the duties of it at that crisis with a good conscience. He was succeeded by sir John Dalrymple, who, however, did not long continue in it; for that unfortunate prince being convinced of his error, restored sir George to his post, in which he continued until the revolution, and then resigned it. He could not agree to the measures and terms of the revolution; he hoped that the prince of Orange would have returned to his own country, when matters were adjusted between the king and his subjects; but finding that the event proved otherwise, he quitted all his employments in Scotland, and retired to England, resolving to spend the remainder of his days in the university of Oxford. He accordingly arrived there in September 1689, and prosecuted his studies in the Bodleian library, being admitted a student there by a grace passed in the congregation June 2, 1690. In the spring following he went to London, where he contracted a disorder, of which he died May 2, 1691. His body was conveyed by land to Scotland, and interred with great pomp and solemnity at Edinburgh, his funeral being attended by all the council, nobility, college of justice, college of physicians, university, clergy, gentry, and a greater concourse of people than ever was seen on any similar occasion.

Besides the moral pieces mentioned above, he wrote several works to illustrate the laws and customs of his country, to vindicate the monarchy from the restless contrivances and attacks of those whom he esteemed its enemies, and to maintain the honour and glory of Scotland. To illustrate the laws and customs of his country, he published

This

"A Discourse upon the laws and customs of Scotland in "Idea eloquentiæ forensis matters criminal," 1674, 4to. hodiernæ, una cum actione forensi ex unaquaque juris "Institutions of the laws of Scotparte," 1681, 8vo. land," 1684, 8vo. "Observations upon the acts of parBesides these, several other trealiament," 1686, folio. tises of law are inserted in his works, printed at Edinburgh, 1716, in 2 vols. folio. In vindication of monarchy, he wrote his "Jus regium; or the just and solid foundations of monarchy in general, and more especially of the monarchy of Scotland; maintained against Buchanan, Naphthali, Doleman, Milton, &c." Lond. 1684, 8vo. book being dedicated and presented by the author to the university of Oxford, he received a letter of thanks from the convocation. With the same view he published his Discovery of the fanatic plot," printed at Edinburgh, in 1684, folio; and his " Vindication of the government of Also the "MeScotland during the reign of Charles II." thod of Proceeding against Criminals and Fanatical Covenanters," 1691, 4to. The pieces which he published in honour of his nation, were as follow: " Observations on the Laws and Customs of Nations as to Precedency, with the science of heraldry, treated as a part of the civil law of nations; wherein reasons are given for its principles, and etymologies for its harder terms," 1680, folio. "A Defence of the Antiquity of the Royal Line of Scotland; with a true account when the Scots were governed by the kings in the Isle of Britain," 1685, 8vo. This was written in answer to " An historical Account of Church-Government as it was in Great Britain and Ireland, when they first received the Christian religion," by Lloyd, bishop of St. Asaph. Sir George's defence was published in June 1685; but before it came out it was animadverted upon by Dr. Stillingfleet, who had seen it in manuscript in the preface to his " Origines Britannica." Sir George replied the year following, in a piece entitled "The Antiquity of the Royal Line of Scotland farther cleared and defended against the exceptions lately offered by Dr. Stilling fleet, in his Vindication of the Bishop of St. Asaph ;" and here the controversy appears to have ended. It is remarkable, however, that sir George's books were translated into Latin, printed at Utrecht in 1689, and then presented to William-Henry prince of Orange, who wrote two very polite letters of thanks to him for his performance.