58.

THE BEE,

OR

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER.

FOR

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25. 1792.

COMPARATIVE VIEW

OF THE MODE OF WRITING HISTORY,
In ancient and modern times.

For the Bee

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 what 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 phiJosophy succeeds, and, viewing the splendid confusion of things, begins its arduous and laborious task, arranges them into their proper genera and species, VOL. vii.

intellectual researches. The phanto tion now begin to disappear, and m wisdom, as well as the magnificenc stead of that unbridled fire, which minately paint every object with col itself, a more sober, as well as a nobl tion presents itself to the mind. The dence gradually open, the field of sc every hand, and as well as the poet philosopher and historian.

It is partly on these principles tha count for the intermixture of poetical to be found in all the early histories of But we have viewed the subject only it is not altogether to the immaturit the part of the historian, that we are "marvellous, and wild narration. The tory were really themselves of this kind. sactions of men were bold and extravag bition was more to astonish their fell by the greatnefs of their designs, and they could overcome, than by any ratio sive plan of public utility; they did about political consequence, or personal infatuated with the love of unsubstan furious with blind revenge, they immed headlong into action; their schemes we quence of reasonings that were simple, bold, and they executed them with all t

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 hu-
man 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
pofsible, 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. Accord-
ingly we have sometimes seen modern historians,
reviewing the artlefs transactions of a rude age, ha-
ving their minds filled with the profound policy of
European states, and all the refinements of accumu-
lated reflection; and the simplicity of nature has been
disguised, and disfigured, with the theories of poli-
tical 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

dered venerable by the obscurity of are indebted, for their lustre, more to which surrounds them, than to their value. When a character is placed stance, its faults and failings, and eve nary and conmon circumstances of entirely unnoticed; the imagination 1 upon what has rendered it illustrious petual admiration of it, its dimensions and its colours heightened beyond th nature. Every thing indeed concurs t false and illusory splendour; the mor magnified, our pleasure is proportionab wè are ever willing to allow a superior those who are no more conscious of it, a animosity of envy and rivalship extend n

The progrefs of society may also be the different stages of human life; in youth, pleasure is sought after without to profit or advantage; but in the thou ety of manhood, we take a more cool hensive view of our own nature, and t the things around us, our pleasures do any longer of the present moment: Plan and extensive utility are formed, we be seriously of our situation among mankin ourselves of their errors or good conduct ting our own. So it is in the first stages human mind begins to

the fire of the

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; andthey 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 chief ly 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 consequences. 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