XV 



cations), fully appreciated the value of his aid, the extent and the 

 variety of his attainments ; one of his articles on Scott's 'Dryden* 

 was remarkable as blending the courtesy due to a man like Walter 

 Scott with free and independent judgment of his opinions, and at 

 the same time as giving a just but discriminate criticism on the 

 most unequal of our great poets. 



It was not till past his fortieth year (A.D. 1818) that Mr. Hallam 

 announced himself to the world as an author ; but his t View of 

 Europe during the Middle Ages ' placed him at once in the highest 

 rank of historic writers. Of the great qualifications of a historian, 

 except that of flowing, rapid, living narrative (precluded by the 

 form of his work, which unavoidably took that of historical disqui- 

 sition), none appeared to be wanting. There was profound research 

 into original sources of knowledge, where they existed ; the judicious 

 choice of secondary authorities, which always met with generous and 

 grateful appreciation ; sagacity in tracing the course of events and 

 the "motives of men ; thorough independence of judgment, which 

 cared not what idols it threw down in the pursuit of truth ; singular 

 firmness with unaffected candour ; above all, an honesty of purpose, 

 which almost resembled a passion (the only passion which he betrayed); 

 a style manly, clear, vigorous, if inartificial, sometimes unharmo- 

 nious, yet sound idiomatic English, an apt vehicle for the English 

 good sense which was the characteristic of the whole. There was no 

 brilliant paradox, no ingenious theory to which all the facts must be 

 warped: all was sober, solid, veracious. The 'View* was received 

 not only with respect, and with the acclamation of all qualified to 

 judge of such a work, but even with popularity, considering its 

 subject and extent, surprising. It was emphatically described by a 

 high authority of the day as a book which every scholar should read, 

 and every statesman study. Like all great works of the kind, it 

 created and supplied a want in the public mind. The History of 

 the Middle Ages up to this time was a wilderness, which few were 

 disposed or able to penetrate. There had been much laborious 

 investigation, much ingenious speculation on parts of the subject ; 

 but it was a labyrinth which wanted a clue, darkness which repelled, 

 confusion which bewildered. The ' View ' was as remarkable for its 

 completeness and comprehensiveness as for its depth and accuracy. 

 Though the subjects on which Mr, Hallam dwelt at greatest extent, 



