LOUD WOODHOUSEXEE. 533 



mankind, — he followed the progress of its arms through a world 

 hitherto unknown ; and thus gradually introducing to the ob- 

 servation of his students, those various nations of the North, 

 that were destined in future years to overturn this mighty fa- 

 bric, he made the easiest, but the most fortunate, transition 

 to the history of Modern Europe, and to the examination of 

 the causes that produced the fall of Rome. At this eventful 

 period, he again availed himself of the pause which history af- 

 forded him, to take a retrospective view of this great people, 

 — to consider their attainments in arts and arms, — to compare 

 their progress in science and in literature with that of the 

 mighty people that had preceded them, — and to indulge him- 

 self in that illustration of the excellence of their greater wri- 

 ters, which he was so well qualified to give, and which, far bet- 

 ter than mere critical examination was fitted to excite the admi- 

 ration, and to form the taste, of the young who heard him. 



The history of Modern Europe afforded not to Mr Tytler 

 the same fortunate principle of arrangement which he had 

 found in the Ancient: But another principle of connection 

 presented itself, of which he willingly availed himself. To 

 the historian of Modern Europe, the natural place of observa- 

 tion is his own country. It is the point of view to which all 

 his interests most obviously conduct him, and from which all 

 the events of the surrounding world fall into somewhat of sys- 

 tematic order and harmonious distance. It was on this prin- 

 ciple, therefore, that Mr Tytler conducted his views of mo- 

 dern history. Considering the history of their own country 

 as the subject most important in the instruction of his stu- 

 dents, he began by the narration of the great events of its ci- 

 vil and military story : He traced the successive steps of its 

 progress in industry, in legislation, in opulence, and in refine- 

 ment j and unfolded with care the gradual rise of its political 



3X2 constitution, 



