was published in January, 1776, and that inde pendence was declared on the 4th of July in the same year: The time was now arrived when our author was to take an active as well as a decisive part in public affairs. The declaration of independence had removed the scene of political warfare from the closet to the camp, and it was now become necessary to try the strength of public patriotism by bringing it into the field of military operations. Warlike preparations were immediately set on foot by the Americans. Many individuals of respectability volunteered their services in support of their country's freedom, and amongst the foremost of them was Mr. Paine. In this capacity he was introduced to the friendship of the Marquis de la Fayette, who was likewise serving as a volunteer in the American army. The officers treated our author with every possible mark of respect, at their tables he was hailed as a welcome guest, and General Washington himself neglected no opportunity of shewing the high opinion he entertained of his talents and integrity.

At the time our author joined the army its head quarters were in the neighbourhood of New York. The British forces, under General

Howe, were using every effort to gain possession of the latter place, while Washington was endeavouring by every stratagem to frustrate their intention. Notwithstanding the spirit which had been excited amongst the people, their troops were at this period in a very undisciplined condition. TheAmericans were strongly animated by the principle of resisting oppression, but from inexperience they were ignorant of the practice. The greatest efforts of those who had stood foremost amongst the advocates for independence were therefore necessary, and it is but justice to say, that these distinguished individuals displayed a degree of activity and courage worthy of the cause they had espoused. To repair the disordered state of the American troops was the first object of consideration. recruiting was therefore commenced without delay, and the army was soon increased from ten to thirty thousand men. General Washington very judiciously distributed them on York Island, Long Island, Governor's Island, and other posts, where, undisciplined and inexperienced as the soldiers were, it became an hazardous undertaking to attempt to dislodge them. The British General was at this time

A

waiting for reinforcements and supplies fromi England, under the command of his brother, Admiral, afterwards Lord Howe. These shortly arrived, and on the 22d of August, 1776, the greatest part of the British troops landed on Long Island. A few days afterwards they

attacked the Americans, and after a determined resistance the latter were completely defeated.

In consequence of this event, it became necessary to evacuate Long Island, which was performed with such skill and care, that the English troops, though not above six hundred yards distant, were wholly unacquainted with the measure until it was completed.

The effects produced by this defeat on the minds of the soldiers was such as might have been anticipated. They were impressed with the belief that the English troops were their superiors in every point of view, they dreaded the idea of contending with a race of men who considered carnage as a trade, and practiced it as a duty; who had been nursed in the very lap of civilized butchery, and whose bravery, whether deservedly or not, was proverbial all over the world.

In this state of affairs our author's pen was

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not idle. Soon after the defeat on Long Island he produced the first number of the Crisis. This is a continuation of the arguments advanced in Common Sense, to which are added some most powerful appeals to the patriotism and courage of the Americans. The following is a specimen of this energetic production :

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer-soldier and the sun-shine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered: yet we have this consolation with us, that the

* In the edition of Paine's political works recently published, there occurred an error with which it is proper the reader should be made acquainted. The article which is there inserted as the first number of the Crisis, is not, from all I can collect, the production of Paine. A friend has lately favoured me with a copy of the English Crisis, (a work entirely distinct from that written by Paine) in which I find the first number in the edition lately published inserted verbatim, under the signature of Casca. The error was copied from an edition published a few years ago by Eaton, in Newgate Street. I have since seen several editions, in all of which the piece is omitted. This shews clearly that it could not have been written by Paine, and its insertion in the edition, published by Eaton, can only be attributed to the ignorance of the person who furnished him with the copy.

harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to set a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right, not only to tax, but to bind us in all cases whatsoever ;' and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, there is no such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so limited a power can belong only to God."

The remainder of the piece is written much in the same style as the foregoing; the political situation of the continent is investigated in a manner which shews that the writer possessed a thorough knowledge of his subject, and of the means necessary to rouze a despairing people to exertion. The intention of the author was to cheer the drooping hopes of the Americans, to re-animate the feelings, and to recruit the numbers of the army, which at that period had doubly suffered from defeat and desertion. This object completely succeeded. The paper was read with astonishing avidity, and its effect