.$3;8| 0?i fheJUoral Influence ofHistortj, 



end disco\^r tt^etrue theory of hurrian nature 5 

 that seemingly latent but indestructible princi- 

 ple. of moral, which confounds the (^eep and 

 well-pkrtned schemes of designing- selfish po- 

 }icy, which ^survives the wreck of xontending 

 empiresj^ and .th(3^ wide-spreading desolation 

 of barbarian conquest, which fromr the ycxj 

 •'r^ve of ignorance,^ superstition and vice rege- 

 nerates man. . In this way history may certainly 

 be studied to great advantage, and where there 

 is time adequate thereto, and where there are 

 talents prepared and cultivated .tor th js purpose, 

 every human being may derive from Jaistory a 

 gemero-us gratification and much soHd benefit. 



There is another vaiuablepurp9se to which 

 histtory subserves, in teaching to man the mag- 

 nitude of his powers, and the inexhausted 

 resources on which in every emergency and 

 difficulty, exertion, fortitude and magnanitnity 

 have to depend. This is a lesson which man 

 needs, and su(Bciep,t to confer on history all 

 the dignity and praise which are ascribed to 

 her. The most vicious as well as the most 

 honourable characters recorded in .history ex- 

 hibit this lesson 1;<?: man. The fortitude, the 

 perseverance, the unsubdued spirit, with which 

 "both ancient and modern heroes keep on their 

 course through the most formidable difficulties, 

 summon to their aid those powers, which trial 

 4 



