HISTORY. 7 ^ 



V. We have three objects to explain in this 

 chapter ; which arc, 



1. The manner of writing i, 



2. The manner of ftudying it : 



3. The different divifions, or Ipecics of 

 hiftory. 



h regard to the manner of writing hiftory, 

 the firft fault that we find in all hiftorical writings, 

 ancient and modern, and which appears to us of 

 no fmall magniti.J:, is, that they coniift of a 

 mere defcription of thole wars that have defolated 

 the earth from the origin of the human race. It 

 (hould feem as if mankind found nothing great 

 in nature, nothing worthy their attention, but 

 that which ought to cover them with fhame and 

 confufion: th.it which n riles from their drpr./. 

 a mad dcfireof viitory, oi drftroying each other; 

 a barbarous cuftom of maintaining their preten- 

 by the ; arms; oi ; ning that fu- 



perior force gives rig! it ; and the full 

 a vain honour, a falfe glory, in their brutal quar- 



md combats. Follies are frequent i; 

 gious : that of heroes has infected their hjfto- 



: blood mull be conilaml. 

 were to pl.u:c only one man upon the earth, they 



<;ods 

 or devils, or .-id monfters, or 



:\v, rather tha: him 



aud am. fhould iuppofe 



', it would be merely with a de- 



; t thejr mi .\ch other, or at 



irdcr his compa- 

 nion. 



