THE BEE, OR LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25. 1792. COMPARATIVE VIEW OF THE MODE OF WRITING HISTORY, Ir has been commonly observed, that in the infancy of human reason, its chief gratifications are among those objects which create wonder and delight; that mankind in their first mental efforts generally prefer what will fill and expand the imagination, than whạt will satisfy the judgement. Tired with a general view of the wonders of nature, and dazzled with their profusion, they are, for ages, unwilling to bid adieu to these pleasing scenes of inchantment, in order to turn their attention to a sober and minute inquiry after truth. It is not till imagination has first taken its boundless range through nature, and collected the subjects of human knowledge, that philosophy succeeds, and, viewing the splendid confusion of things, begins its arduous and laborious task, arranges them into their proper genera and species, VOL. vii. marks their qualities and relations, assigns to each its proper station in the different departments of science, and points out its dignity in the scale of intellectual researches. The phantoms of imagination now begin to disappear, and men recognize the wisdom, as well as the magnificence of nature: Instead of that unbridled fire, which would indiscriminately paint every object with colours peculiar to itself, a more sober, as well as a nobler view of creation presents itself to the mind. The plans of providence gradually open, the field of science widens on every hand, and as well as the poet, we behold the philosopher and historian. It is partly on these principles that we are to account for the intermixture of poetical fable which is to be found in all the early histories of human actions. But we have viewed the subject only on one side, for it is not altogether to the immaturity of reason, on the part of the historian, that we are to ascribe his "marvellous, and wild narration. The subjects of history were really themselves of this kind. The first tran sactions of men were bold and extravagant; their am bition was more to astonish their fellow creatures, by the greatness of their designs, and the difficulties they could overcome, than by any rational and extensive plan of public utility; they did not deliberate about political consequence, or personal safety; but, infatuated with the love of unsubstantial glory, or furious with blind revenge, they immediately rushed headlong into action; their schemes were the consequence of reasonings that were simple, but open and bold, and they executed them with all that personal In addrefs, and romantic fervour of imagination, which we always meet with in the first efforts of men. this state of society, though an historian existed, pofsefsed with all the abilities of a Tacitus, or a Hume, it would be unreasonable to expect that his page would be adorned with the plans of wisdom, or the sober colouring of nature and truth; it would be absurd to suppose that he would search into the human mind, for powers that were not yet developed, or account for actions, from motives that were not yet known. Nay, though he were pofsefsed, if it were possible, of all the knowledge and philosophy of these celebrated historians, he must first divest himself of his acquisitions, before he can, with the warmth of nature, relate the simple story. But this is almost impossible; it is painful to stiffle the illuminations of learning, and it is difficult for human nature to forego the pride of superior knowledge. Accordingly we have sometimes seen modern historians, reviewing the artlefs transactions of a rude age, having their minds filled with the profound policy of European states, and all the refinements of accumulated reflection; and the simplicity of nature has been disguised, and disfigured, with the theories of political intrigues, and complicated deliberations. As learned commentators view In Homer what he never knew. But there is no circumstance which has tended more to detain those clouds of ignorance, which continue so long to obscure the human mind, as the superstitious fondness which every age has hewn for the affairs of former times. The early historian, as Jan. 25 well as the poet, has ever fhewn a prejudice in favour of remote antiquity. The actions and characters which are removed to a distant period, are rendered venerable by the obscurity of tradition, and are indebted, for their lustre, more to the darkness which surrounds them, than to their own intrinsic value. When a character is placed at a great distance, its faults and failings, and even all the ordinary and common circumstances of humanity, are entirely unnoticed; the imagination loves to dwell upon what has rendered it illustrious; and by perpetual admiration of it, its dimensions are enlarged, and its colours heightened beyond the standard of nature. Every thing indeed concurs to dazzle with false and illusory splendour; the more the object is magnified, our pleasure is proportionably increased; wè are ever willing to allow a superior reputation to those who are no more conscious of it, and the painful animosity of envy and rivalship extend not to the dead. The progrefs of society may also be compared to the different stages of human life; in the ardour of youth, pleasure is sought after without any regard to profit or advantage; but in the thoughtful sobriety of manhood, we take a more cool and compre hensive view of our own nature, and the nature of the things around us, our pleasures do not consist any longer of the present moment: Plans of general and extensive utility are formed, we begin to think seriously of our situation among mankind, and avail ourselves of their errors or good conduct in regulating our own. So it is in the first stages of society; the fire of the human mind begins to burn meic - clearly, and the dazzling matters of antiquity are gradually stript of their fairy forms; the incidents and characters which are subjected to their own inspection, are found to be more consonant to that sense of truth which is implanted in every breast; and they begin to be viewed as the safest criterion of the human powers, and the most suitable examples of human imitation. None of the ancient historians have attained to that comprehensive, and accurate knowledge of the extent of nature's operations, and all the pofsibilities of things to which the moderns have arrived: The incredible deeds of ancient heroes, and the wild tales of Grecian mythology, seem still to be believed by the most enlightened of them: Their object was chiefly to propose a subject of entertainment, never profefsedly to philosophise. In displaying the characters and transactions of men, they are, for the most part, content with giving us in general the most striking and interesting features; their aim is more to fill and delight, than inform the mind. Facts are presented to us in their natural order, without nicely tracing their causes, or attending to their conse→ quences. They loved rather to illustrate the valour and intrepidity of a hero, than develope his extensive views and latent motives. Pofsefsing more genius in general than modern historians, they gave way to its natural impulse, and addrefsed the imagination more than the judgement. They conceived strongly, and painted boldly; but disdained the laborious task of minute inquiry and patient investigation. They carry us along in an agreeable current, where |
