On the^ Moral Infiufnce of Hisiorij, ^ 39 



%nd riecefeisity cotikl^ • fflone have discovered to 

 therri, arid by the^ vigorous and steady appli- 

 catioh of which they triumph over every re- 

 sistance, and attain their desired object, unfold 

 a view of man, which could only be learned 

 from the grand and extended display of human 

 talent which history exhibits. This I consider 

 as by far the mbst valuable use to which his- 

 tory-subserves; and certainly apph'cable as a 

 lesson to a wider range of extent than the 

 former uses which I have noticed. 



But to the far greater part of mankind, who, 

 from the destiny of their lot are assigned to dif^ 

 ferent ptifposes, who either cannot, or think 

 that they cannot, penetrate the mysteries of 

 the soldier or the statesman, or follow the phi- 

 losophic moralist in his deep and abstract inves- 

 tigationsi these concessions do by no means 

 apply. Occupied in the common concerns of 

 the world, they have neither the time, the in- 

 clination, nor the abilities which enable them 

 to derive from histor}^ these important ad- 

 vantages, nor are they invited and encouraged 

 to the attempt by their more favoured supe- 

 riors. If they peruse history at all, it is merely 

 as an idle and passing amusement, or to ac- 

 quire a cursory knowledge of a few leading 

 tacts and dates, in order that they may not 

 appear utterly ignorant of former times ; a 

 u u 



