CHAP. VIII.] HISTORY OF TIMES. 01 



being qualified to write a complete history, suitable to its dig 

 nity (a thing wherein so many have failed), if memorable acts 

 were but tolerably related as they pass, this might lay the 

 foundations, and afford materials for a complete history of 

 times, when a writer should arise equal to the work. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Division of the History of Times into Universal and Particular. The 

 Advantages and Disadvantages of both. 



HISTORY of times is either general or particular, as it re 

 lates the transactions of the whole world, or of a certain 

 kingdom or nation. And there have been those who would 

 seem to give us the history of the world from its origin ; 

 but, in reality, offer only a rude collection of things, and 

 certain short narratives instead of a history ; whilst others 

 have nobly, and to good advantage, endeavoured to describe, 

 as in a just history, the memorable things, which in their 

 time happened over all the globe. For human affairs are 

 not so far divided by empires and countries, but that in 

 many cases they still preserve a connection : whence it is 

 proper enough to view, as in one picture, the fates of an age. 

 And such a general history as this may frequently contain 

 particular relations, which, though of value, might otherwise 

 either be lost, or never again reprinted : at least, the heads 

 of such accounts may be thus preserved. But upon mature 

 consideration, the laws of just history appear so severe as 

 scarcely to be observed in so large a field of matter, whence 

 the bulkiness of history should rather be retrenched than 

 enlarged ; otherwise, he who has such variety of matter 

 everywhere to collect, if he preserve not constantly the 

 strictest watch upon his informations, will be apt to take up 

 with rumours and popular reports, and work such kind of 

 superficial matter into his history. And, then, to retrench 

 the whole, he will be obliged to pass over many things other 

 wise worthy of relation, and often to contract and shorten 

 his style ; wherein there lies no small danger of frequently 

 cutting off useful narrations, in order to oblige mankind in 

 their favourite way of compendium ; whence such accounts, 

 which might otherwise live of themselves, may come to be 

 utterly lost. 



