SSS STUDY OF HISTORY. 1 



the State ; or as it enables us to form, by comparison witli ' 



those who have gone before them, a just estimate of their I 



merits. In a religious — as it teaches us to regard the Supreme | 



Being as the governor of the universe, and sovereign disposer \ 



of all events. 1 



The faculties of the soul are improved by exercise ; and ; 



nothing is more proper to enlarge, to quicken, and to refine \ 



them, than a survey of the conduct of mankind. History ] 



supplies us with a detail of facts, and submits them to exami- , 



nation before we are called into active life. By observation \ 



and reflection upon others we begin an early acquaintance \ 



with human nature, extend our views of the moral world, and ' 



are enabled to acquire such a habit of discernment, and cor- "i 



rectness of judgment, as others obtain only by experience. ] 



By meditating on the lives of sages and heroes, we exercise j 



our virtues in a review, and prepare them for approaching ac- I 



tion. We learn the motives, the opinions, and the passions 1 



of the men who lived before us ; and the fruit of that study is 1 



a more perfect knowledge of ourselves, and a correction of \ 



our failings by their examples. ^ 



Experience and the knowledge of history reflect nmtual ^ 



light, and afford mutual assistance. Without the former no j 



one can act with address and dexterity. Without the latter . 



no one can add to the natural resources of his own mind a \ 



knowledge of those precepts and examples, which have tended ] 



to form the character and promote the glory of eminent m.en. j 



History contributes to divest us of many illiberal prejudices, ] 



by enlarging our acquaintance with the world. It sets us at ; 



liberty from that blind partiality to our native country, which ] 



is a sure mark of a contracted mind, when due merit is not " 



allowed to any other. This study likewise tends to strengthen ; 



our abhorrence of vice ; and creates a relish for true greatness i 



and solid glory. We see the hero and the philosopher repre- | 



sented in their proper colours ; and as magnanimity, honour, 1 



integrity, and generosity, when displayed in illustrious in- J 



stances, naturally make a favourable impression on our minds, ; 



our attachment to them is gradually formed. The fire of j 



enthusiasm and of virtuous emulation is lighted, and we long \ 



to practise what we have been instructed to approve. j 



The love of our country naturally awakens in us a spirit of ; 



curiosity to inquire into the conduct of our ancestors, and to ] 



learn the memorable events of their history. Nothing that -l 



