x-^^'l. ohservatiQnf on Watson's history. 87 



ration of facts there Ihould be nothing rugged, 

 abrupt, or obscure ; simplicitj, perspicuity, and cor- 

 rectnefs, are chiefly to be studied ; it seldom admits 

 of a highly decorated stile. A perjjetual succefsion of 

 musical sounds, and a great attention to the regular 

 swell and cadence of periods, serve rather to emba- 

 rafs and interrupt, than illustrate the subiects of his- 

 tory. In the great models of antiquity, the utmost 

 simplicity reigns ; Herodotus, Xenophon, Csesar, and 

 Livy, are remarkably chaste in this respect. Their 

 easy and natural composition seems to have been close- 

 ly imitated by the author of this history, which is 

 elegant without affectation, and perspicuous withuot 

 being diffuse. 



The reign of Philip ii. is crowded with great and 

 impoi'tant transactions. The scenes are various and 

 uncommon. It is one contin.iad train of active exer- 

 tions ; many subjects of wonder occur, many of pity, 

 love, and abhorrence. In order to do justice to such 

 an extensive field, and to produce suitable sensations. 

 Our author makes use of no rhetorical artifices ; he 

 does not set himself, by a laboured description, to ele- 

 vate the imagination, and by many pathetic expos- 

 tulations to rouse indignation, or to excite pity ; he 

 does nfiM*: attempt, like some puerile writers, to raise to 

 the highest pitch of admiration, or melt with the ut- 

 i "most extremity of pitiful distrefs ; such overstrained 

 j efforts never gain their end. We always read them 

 I with distrust, and instead of brightening the object, as 

 •they intend, serve rather to cast a mist over it, and 

 <pften put it wholly cut of view. But Watson aftef^ 



