,58 Of the Advancement of Learning, L i b.II, 



others patch up, in a ra(h haftc, and unequal contexture, particular Re- 

 ports, and brief Memorials, others (lightly run over the heads of a- 

 ftions done j others on the contrary purfue every trivial Circumftance, 

 nothing belonging to the fum and iffue of things 5 fome out of a too 

 partial indulgence to their own wit , take confidence to fain many 

 things 5 but others add and imprint upon affairs the Image, not fo much 

 of their own wit, as of their affeiSions 5 mindful rather of their OWQ 

 parts, than to become Religious deponents for truth 5 others every 

 where interlace fuch Politick obfervations 5 as they moft fancy, and 

 feeking occafion of digreffion for oftentation, too llightly break off the 

 contexture of the difcourfes others for want of moderation and judge- 

 ment over do things, by the prolixity of their (pceches, Harangues or 

 other performances, fo as it is fufficiently raanifcft, that in the writings 

 of men, there is not any kind fMOre rare than ajuji HiStory^ and in all 

 points complete and perfeU, But our purpofe at this prefent is, tofet 

 down a partition of knowledge, for the ohfervation of parts omitted j 

 and not acenfttre of parts erroneous. Now We will proceed to the^ Par- 

 titions of Civil Hijiory , and thofe of divers forts 5 for the particular 

 kinds will be lefs intanglcd, if divers partitions be propounded 5 than 

 if one partition by divers members be curioufly drawn out. 



Chap. VI. 



The firfl: Partition of Civil Hiftory , into § MtmeriaU, ^ Antii 

 quities. § And PerfeEl HiHory, 



Civil Hijiory is of three kjndty not unfitly to be compared to the 

 three forts of Piftures or Images ; for of Piftures and (mages we 

 fee, fome are unperfedi and unfini(ht 5 others perfeft , and others de- 

 cayed and defaced with Age. In like manner we will divide Civil Hi* 

 fiory^ which is the Image oj A&ions and Times ^ into three kinds, agree- 

 able to thofe of Pictures 5 namely, Memorials ; TerfeB Hijiory^ and An* 

 tiquities. Memorials are HiUories nnfinijht ^ or the firft and rough 

 draughts of Hiftory : Antiquities are Hijiories defaced^ or the Re- 

 mains of Hiftory, which have c!ifually efcaped the (hipwrack of 

 Time. 



§ Memorials or Preparations to Hiliory , are of two forts, whereof 

 one may be termed Commentaries 5 the other Regi^ers. Commenta- 

 ries (et down a naked Continuance and Connexion of Anions and E» 

 vents , without the Caules and Pretexts of Bufinefs ; the beginnings 

 and Motives thereof^ alfo the Counfels and Speeches, and other pre- 

 parations of Aftions: For this is the true nature of Commentaries , 

 though Cafar in modefty mixt with greatnefs, did for his pleafure ap- 

 ply the name of Commentaries^ to the beft Hiftory that is extant. But 

 Regtjiers are of two forts, for cither they comprehend the titles of Mat- 

 ter and Perfons in a continuation of Times, (uch as are Calendars and 

 chronologies : ox Solennities of AUs 5 of which kind are the Edifts of 

 Piiacess the Decrees of Councils j the Proceedings of Judgements 5 



Pub- 



