Beflexiona on Histoid, SCc. 373 



but collected and preserved for the instruction 

 and improvement of posterity. 



Consistent and regular students of history 

 will not, however, content themselves with 

 reading the annals of mankind in detached 

 {portions. But whilst they pay a proper tribute 

 of respect to the works of those writers, who 

 have selected striking periods for the labours of 

 their pens, they will endeavour to collect a 

 just and complete idea of all the events, 

 changes and improvements, which have taken 

 place in the world, from the earliest ages of 

 which there is any account, down to the pre- 

 sent day. That war should engross so much 

 of the historian's attention, may justly be la- 

 mented by the benevolent and humane. Yet 

 whilst the faithful description of its incidents 

 may render it still more an object of horror, it 

 cannot be denied that contrary to expectation, 

 and in opposition to the eiibrts and opinions of 

 the ambitious and tyramiical, it has, in various 

 ways, contributed to the progress of liberty 

 and knowledge. In this sense " discord k» 

 harmony not understood, and partial evil uni- 

 versal good.'* . 



Wlmt is the best method of studying history 



it may not be easy to decide. The ingenious 



D'Alembert has argued, that the most natural 



mode, at least for young persons, was first to iread 



3 A 2 



