Page images
PDF
EPUB

tages, which are enjoyed by the moderns. In ancient times there was less communication among neighbouring states; no intercourse by established posts, nor by ambassadors at different courts. Larger experience too, of the different modes of government, has improved the modern historian, beyond the historian of antiquity.

It is, however, in the form of narrative, and not by dissertation, that the historian is to impart his political knowledge. Formal discussions expose him to suspicion of being willing to accommodate his facts to his theory. They have also an air of pedantry, and evidently result from want of art. For reflections, whether moral, political, or philosophical, may be insinuated in the body of a narrative.

Clearness, order, and connection, are primary virtues in historical narration. These are attained when the historian is complete master of his subject; can see the whole at one view; and comprehend the dependence of all its parts. History being a dignified species of composition, it should also be conspicuous for gravity. There should be nothing mean nor vulgar in the style; no quaintness, no smartness, no affectation, no wit. A history should likewise be interesting; and this is the quality which chiefly distinguishes a writer of genius and eloquence.

To be interesting, a historian must preserve a medium between rapid recital, and prolix detail. He should know when to be concise, and when to enlarge. He should make a proper selection of circumstances. These give life, body, and colouring to his narration. They constitute what is termed historical painting.

In all these virtues of narration, particularly in picturesque description, the ancients eminently excel. Hence, the pleasure of reading Thucydides, Livy, Sallust, and Tacitus. In historical painting there are great varieties. Livy and Tacitus paint in very different ways. The descriptions of Livy are full, plain, and natural; those of Tacitus are short and bold.

One embellishment, which the moderns have laid aside, was employed by the ancients. They put orations in the mouths of celebrated personages. By these they diversified their history, and conveyed both moral and political instruction. Thucydides was the first

who adopted this method; and the orations, with which his history abounds, are valuable remains of antiquity. It is doubtful, however, whether this embellishment should be allowed to the historian; for they form a mixture, unnatural to history, of truth and fiction. The moderns are more chaste, when, on great occasions, the historian delivers, in his own person, the sentiments and reasoning of opposite parties.

Another splendid embellishment of history is the delineation of characters. These are considered as exhibitions of fine writing; and hence the difficulty of excelling in this province. For characters may be too shining and laboured. The accomplished historian avoids here to dazzle too much. He is solicitous to give the resemblance in a style equally removed from meanness and affectation. He studies the grandeur of simplicity.

Sound morality should always reign in history. A historian should ever show himself on the side of virtue. It is not, however, his province to deliver moral instructions in a formal manner. He should excite indignation against the designing and the vicious; and by appeals to the passions, he will not only improve his reader, but take away from the natural coolness of historical narration.

In modern times, historical genius has shone most in Italy. Acuteness, political sagacity, and wisdom, are all conspicuous in Machiavel, Guicciardin, Davila, Bentivoglio, and Father Paul. In Great-Britain, history has been fashionable only a few years, For though Clarendon and Burnet are considered historians, they are inferior to Hume, Robertson, and Gibbon.

The inferior kinds of historical composition, are annals, memoirs, and lives. Annals are a collection of facts in chronological order; and the properties of an annalist are fidelity and distinctness. Memoirs are a species of composition, in which an author pretends not to give a complete detail of facts, but only to record what he himself knew, or was concerned in, or what illustrates the conduct of some person, or some transaction, which he chooses for his subject. It is not, therefore, expected of such a writer, that he possesses the same profound research, and those su

[ocr errors]

perior talents, which are requisite in a historian. It is chiefly required of him, that he be sprightly and interesting. The French, during two centuries, have poured forth a flood of memoirs; the most of which are little more than agreeable trifles. We must, however, except from this censure, the memoirs of the Cardinal de Retz, and those of the Duke of Sully. The former join to a lively narrative, great knowledge of human nature. The latter deserve very particular praise. They approach to the usefulness and dignity of legitimate history. They are full of virtue and good sense; and are well calculated to form both the heads and hearts of those who are designed for public business, and high stations in the world.

Biography is a very useful kind of composition; less stately than history; but perhaps not less instructive. It affords full opportunity of displaying the characters of eminent men, and of entering into a thorough acquaintance with them. In this kind of writing, Plutarch excels; but his matter is better than his manner; he has no peculiar beauty nor elegance. His judgment and accuracy also are sometimes taxed. But he is a very humane writer, and fond of displaying great men in the gentle lights of retirement.

Before we conclude this subject, it is proper to observe, that of late years, a great improvement has been introduced into historical composition. More particular attention than formerly, has been given to laws, customs, commerce, religion, literature, and to every thing that shows the spirit and genius of nations. It is now conceived, that a historian ought to illustrate manners, as well as facts and events. Whatever displays the state of mankind in different periods; whatever illustrates the progress of the human mind, is more useful than details of sieges and battles.

[ocr errors]

What is history?

What are the requisites of a historian?
What is the first object of a historian?
What author is remarkable for unity?

What knowledge should a historian possess?

What advantage have modern historians?

In what manner must political knowledge be improved?
What are primary virtues in a historian?

Philosophical Writing and Dialogue. 167

What chiefly marks a writer of genius?
How may a historian be interesting?
In what do the ancients excel?

What peculiar embellishment was employed by the ancient historians?

Is this allowed in modern historians?

What other splendid embellishment is allowed in all history;

What is said of the morality of all history?"

Where has genius shone most in modern times?
Who are the great British historians?

What are annals?

What are memoirs?

Which are the best French memoirs ?

What is biography?
Who excels in this?

PHILOSOPHICAL WRITING AND DIALOGUE.

Or philosophy the professed design is instruction. With the philosopher, therefore, style, form, and dress, are inferior objects. But they must not be wholly neglected. The same truths and reasonings, delivered with elegance, will strike more than in a dull and dry

manner.

Beyond mere perspicuity, the strictest precision and accuracy are required in a philosophical writer; and these qualities may be possessed without dryness. Philosophical writing admits a polished, neat, and elegant style. It admits the calm figures of speech; but rejects whatever is florid and tumid. Plato and Cicero have left philosophical treatises, composed with much elegance and beauty. Seneca is too fond of an affected, brilliant, sparkling manner. Locke's Treatise on Human Understanding, is a model of a clear and distinct philosophical style. In the writings of Shaftsbury, on the other hand, philosophy is dressed up with too much ornament and finery.

Among the ancients, philosophical writing often assumed the form of dialogue. Plato is eminent for the beauty of his dialogues. In richness of imagination, no philosophic writer, ancient or modern, is equal to him. His only fault is the excessive fertility of his

imagination, which sometimes obscures his judgment, and frequently carries him into allegory, fiction, enthusiasm, and the airy regions of mystical theology. Cicero's dialogues are not so spirited and characteristical as those of Plato. They are, however, agreeable, and well supported; and show us conversation, carried on among some principal persons of ancient Rome, with freedom, good breeding, and dignity. Of the light and humorous dialogue, Lucian is a model; and he has been imitated by several modern writers. Fontenelle has written dialogues which are sprightly and agreeable, but his characters, whoever his personages be, all become Frenchmen. The divine dialogues of Dr. Henry More, amid the academic stiffness of the age, are often remarkable for character and vivacity. Bishop Berkley's dialogues are abstract, yet perspicuous.

What is the design of philosophy?

Must style be neglected?

What properties does philosophical writing admit ?

Give examples of good philosophical treatises?

Who excels in dialogues?

What is said of Cicero's dialogues?

What is said of the dialogues of Lucian?

What is said of the dialogues of Fontenelle ?

EPISTOLARY WRITING.

In epistolary writing we expect ease and familiarity; and much of its charm depends on its introducing us into some acquaintance with the writer. Its fundamental requisites are nature and simplicity, sprightliness and wit. The style of letters, like that of conversation, should flow easily. It ought to be neat and correct, but no more. Cicero's epistles are the most valuable collection of letters extant, in any language. They are composed with purity and elegance, but without the least affectation. Several letters of Lord Bolingbroke and of Bishop Atterbury are masterly. In those of Pope there is generally too much study; and his letters to ladies, in particular, are full of affectation. Those of Swift and Arbuthnot are written

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »