XVI 



and it seemed with greatest predilection (as, indeed, of the most im- 

 portance), were the rise, growth, and development of the governments, 

 laws, civil, political and religious institutions of the European family 

 of nations, yet the hook likewise entered with great though proportion- 

 ate fulness on the progress of customs, inventions, language, letters, 

 poetry, arts and sciences. It was enlivened hy many passages of fine 

 criticism ; the note on Dante, for instance, may he read with high 

 interest, after all that has been subsequently written on the great 

 Italian poet. Since the publication of Mr. Hallam's work, awakened 

 curiosity, the study of the philosophy of history, chiefly by Conti- 

 nental writers, and, above all, religious zeal, have investigated almost 

 every point relating to the Middle Ages with emulous ardour and 

 industry ; yet Mr. Hallam's work has stood the test, and still maintains 

 its ground. Mr. Hallam himself, with the modesty inseparable from 

 true wisdom, and only anxious for the promulgation of sound truth, 

 instead of narrow jealousy of trespassers upon his province, watched 

 with careful interest every advance in knowledge on those subjects 

 which he had treated almost without a guide. In a supplemental 

 volume, afterwards incorporated with the original work, he collected 

 from every quarter of Europe whatever in his judgment might throw 

 a broader and clearer light on these dark places of mediaeval history. 

 Nearly ten years elapsed before the publication of Mr. Hallam* s 

 second great work, f The Constitutional History of England,' in July 

 1827. This was in some respects a continuation of part of the 

 former book, which, among the other polities of Europe, had traced 

 the growth and expansion of the British Constitution during the 

 Middle Ages. It may be almost enough to say of this work, that 

 by common consent it has become the standard authority on its all- 

 important subject. It is constantly appealed to in the Houses of 

 Parliament ; it is the text-book in the Universities as well as in 

 the higher schools ; and this, from a general infelt acknowledgment 

 of its truthfulness, which overawes and convinces against their will 

 those to whom its doctrines may at first sight seem unacceptable. 

 Nor was this from a cold, stately assumption of superiority to the 

 great questions which have divided Englishmen in all ages. Through- 

 out the work, in which every event which has stirred the 

 passions of men, every character illustrious for good or for evil in 

 our annals, passes in review, and is summoned to judgment, 



