212 HUME. 



the Crown and the Commons then began, and occu- 

 pied the greater part of his reign. It was impossible 

 to examine the period too closely, or in too minute 

 detail. The struggle continued in Charles's time, and 

 ended in the quarrel between the King and the people, 

 in the usurpations of the Parliament, and in the over- 

 throw of the Monarchy. The Commonwealth then 

 followed, and the Cromwell usurpation. Now there 

 is hardly one passage in all this history, from 1600 to 

 1650, which is not the subject of vehement controversy 

 among parties of conflicting principles, and among 

 inquiring men of various opinions ; yet all this was 

 examined by Mr. Hume in less than two years, and 

 his history of it was actually composed, as well as 

 his materials collected and his authorities investigated 

 and compared and weighed, within that short period 

 of time. No one can be surprised if, in so short a time 

 allotted to the whole work, far more attention was 

 given to the composition of the narrative than to the 

 preparation of the materials. It was altogether im- 

 possible that, in so short a period, the duty of the 

 historian should be diligently performed. The execution 

 of the work answers to the mode of its performance. 



But if the ' History ' be not diligently prepared, is it 

 faithfully written? There are numberless proofs of 

 the contrary ; but we have the most express evidence 

 in the author's own statement to prove this position. 

 The temper in which his work was written upon all 

 the constantly recurring points in contest between the 

 two opposing parties may be judged of with accuracy, 

 and towards himself with perfect justice, by the avowal 

 which he makes respecting the alterations introduced 



