'0D\ 



On the Moral Influence of History. 



and I feel them equally with her warmest 

 friend ; nor have I lightly and inconsiderately 

 charged her ; nor as an advocate, who having 

 adopted a cause, no matter what or why, 

 thinks that he must conjure up every thing that 

 is plausible in favour of his cause, and urge 

 every thing that is possible to the prejudice of 

 the caiise which he opposes. What I have 

 written, I have honestly written. Difference 

 of opinion is to be expected. But as truth, 

 not disputation, is the first object of this so- 

 ciety, let him who differs, review the charges 

 seriatim. The charges are orderly arranged, 

 they are not mingled in one confused mass, 

 and may in order be confuted. An indiscri- 

 minate reply, which repels in the gross, and 

 attends to nothing minutely, can lead to no 

 definite and accurate conclusion . 



In deference therefore to that respect which 

 history claims, it is admitted that history may 

 be perused with great advantage by those who 

 bring to the perusal a proper and well-directed 

 spirit of enquiry, and that the loss of history 

 would be an irreparable loss. But it is con- 

 tended that to reap these advantages, those 

 requisites are necessary which the many do not 

 and cannot possess, and without' which they 

 cannot be guarded against the ill impression 

 and ill tendencies, which, in regard to them at 



