H i s T o R v. 7$ 



tefl writers of hiftory are faulty in this refpeft. 

 Every one c.in repeat thofc excellent lines with 

 which Taciti :5 his annais , and when they 



(hall renurk. the concifion he there obferves, and 

 compare it with the prodigious number of ani- 

 madveriions that are fpread over his hiftory, and 

 the prolixity with which he concludes, they will 

 be convinced that our obfervation is juft. It is 

 to be wiflieJ, therefore, that the writers of hif- 

 tory would acquire the art of extending their in- 

 troductions, and of contracting their conclufions, 

 that there might be more uniformity in the parts, 

 ity and harmony in the whole. Cu- 

 rious and learned researches, pleafing and ufcful 

 refk\ "ry natural amplift-:ations. And 



why are not facls that occur in the beginning of 

 a hiftory as worthy of our attention as 

 latter ti; know there. re of 



a contrary opinion, bi:t v/; eive 



/ill the tietril-, i' ,, 



only to promote chicanery and the quarrel i 

 fovereigns: their minifters make uie of them to 



.uce arguments in defence of their p;- 

 fions. But, Ihoukl hiitory be debafed to , 

 ; ;oftfs as theie ? Are there not memoirs, pe- 



.1 archiv tit to 



kindle tl: 

 to fupport tli'jic lit. rs ? 



capital hiflo.'k's h.ive like- 



wifc the fault of bL-ing h: ilix, Wliat 



.;ly lon^ 



enough, 



