$2 BACON 



the virtues and vices of intellectual things, as well as the mo- 

 tions and perturbations of states, to show how the best regula- 

 tion and government may be thence derived ; for as the works 

 of St. Austin or St. Ambrose will not make so wise a divine as 

 a thorough reading of Ecclesiastical History, the same will 

 hold true of learned men with regard to particular books and 

 literary history : for whoever is not supported by examples and 

 the remembrance of things, must always be exposed to con- 

 tingencies and precipitancy. 



CHAPTER V 

 The Dignity of Civil History and the Obstacles it has to encounter 



Civil history, particularly so called, is of prime dignity and 

 authority among human writings ; as the examples of antiquity, 

 the revolutions of things, the foundations of civil prudence, 

 with the names and reputations of men, are committed to its 

 trust. But it is attended with no less difficulty than dignity ; 

 for it is a work of great labor and judgment, to throw the mind 

 back upon things past, and store it with antiquity ; diligently 

 to search into, and with fidelity and freedom relate, i. the com- 

 motions of times ; 2. the characters of persons ; 3. the instability 

 of counsels ; 4. the courses of actions ; 5. the bottoms of pre- 

 tences ; 6. the secrets of state ; and 7. to set all this to view in 

 proper and suitable language : especially as ancient transactions 

 are uncertain, and late ones exposed to danger. Whence such 

 a civil history is attended with numerous defects ; the greater 

 part of historians writing little more than empty and vulgar 

 narrations, and such as are really a disgrace to history ; while 

 some hastily draw up particular relations and trivial memoirs, 

 some only run over the general heads of actions ; and others 

 descend to the minutest particulars, which have no relation to 

 the principal action. These, in compliance with their genius, 

 boldly invent many of the things they write ; whilst those stamp 

 the image of their own affections upon what they deliver ; thus 

 preserving fidelity to their party, but not to things themselves. 

 Some are constantly inculcating politics, in which they take 

 most pleasure, and seek all occasions of exhibiting themselves, 

 thus childishly interrupting the thread of their history ; whilst 

 others are too tedious, and show but little judgment in the 



