HISTORY." 81 



efficacious reflections, which fometimes difcover 

 the fecret cauies of human actions, and fome- 

 times point out their confequences. And here a 

 bold and lively genius is necefiary, one that can 

 break through thofe obftaclcs which flop the vul- 

 gar mind, and that can produce thoughts where 

 truth and novelty are united : it is here that an 

 uncommon difcernment is requifite ; a marvel- 

 lous fagacity that can penetrate the human heart, 

 that can make its way into the cabinets of princes, 

 and into the minds of minifters and generals -, 

 that can unfold what paffes there, and thac 

 judges of their thoughts by their actions, rather 

 than by their words and writings. All thefe re- 

 flections, moreover, (hould arile from the fub- 



thcmfelves, and not be forced into the work. 



v (hould likewife be made with modera- 

 tion, and not in the manner of Tacitus, who, ib 

 to fay, drowns all events in the lea of politics. 

 Laftly, as all the reflections that a hiftory con- 

 tains ihould tend to form the heart as well as the 

 mind of the reader, to render virtue amiable, 

 and meliorate the human race ; all malevolent 

 fatire, all fallacious reasoning, all impiety, all ri- 

 dicule of religion, are at once ill placed, and 

 highly blameable in hiilory. The writer who 

 (hall think to fhine by thcfe means, will find IK: 

 ,' dilleiviu appearance in the eyes of 

 the fagacious part of mankind, though he may 

 lomctimes dazzle the ignorant : and he will be 

 :ned for ihclc raille. they are 



,-.. III. 



