On the Moral Influence of Ilislori), 5 5 j 



into the practice of war, of battles, sieg^s^ 

 marches, counter-marches, blockades, and en- 

 campments, the soldier may derive much va- 

 luable nistmction, and a general insight into 

 the best exercise of his profession. In the 

 history of *the negotiations, the treaties and 

 intrigues of governments, the divisions of 

 nations, their connections and dependencies, 

 the political conduct of great and leading mi- 

 nisters, the statesman is to acquire that know- 

 ledge and experience, which are essentially 

 necessary to him in the discharge of his public 

 duties. While in contemplating the revolution 

 of human affairs, the rise and decline of 

 nations, with the^auses that have contributed 

 thereto, the advancement of some to civiliza- 

 tion, science and arts, the relapse of others into 

 barbarism, the progress of general knowledge, 

 the influence of climate, government and 

 laws upon the character of man j the philo- 

 sopher will be enabled to derive much of wise, 

 useful and moral information. V> 



The field of this application is indeed ex- 

 ceedingly limited as to the number of its sub- 

 jects; but it may be urged, that the high rank 

 in life of those individuals, to whom histo^Y 

 thus addresses her especial instruction, amply 

 compensates for their paucity ; and it may 

 farther be urged, that science, of whatever kin47 



