Of the battle fought between Charles Martel and Abderama, near Tours, in which the Saracens were routed with great slaughter, the annalists of those times give little or no account; but, We have historians,' says Cordenoi, alluding to Faucet and Paulus Emilius, 'who write of it as if they had been present in all the councils, and seen every motion of both armies. They give us long speeches, describe the arms and the manœuvres, and even the postures and manner in which 'the dead laid upon the field of battle!'

Some historians may be estimated by the example of Father Orleans, who, writing an account of the revolutions in England, refused to give any information relative to the obtainment of Magna Charta; because he considered that charter a rock on which the royal authority was wrecked, and, therefore, as the source of all the commotions which subsequently distracted the country. As to Davila, he has suppressed not only the consequences of certain crimes, perpetrated by Catherine de' Medicis, but even the crimes themselves*.

Shall we turn to Spain? Mariana, the father of 'Spanish history†,' would be more worthy of attention, were he not so ambitious of ascribing to Spain whatever is most remarkable in human action. He has, however, one incomparable merit; viz., that of writing in an age of Jesuits, and in a country of despotism, in

* Pasquier was the first in France to observe the true design of history. He it was, who first neglected skirmishes and even battles, to give pictures of the laws, manners, customs, rights, and prerogatives, poetry, language, and antiquities.

+ Vide Bouterwek, Histoire de la Littérature Espagnole.

a spirit less partaking of a divinity professor, than of an ancient Roman. Guido Bentivoglio, in his History of the Wars in Flanders, exhibits, too evidently, an inclination to favour the character of Spain, and a decided preference for the court of Rome.

De Barros' History of the Portuguese conquests in Asia I have never read; but Sismondi says of the historian, that if an individual commit a perfidious action, he condemns him at once; but when the crime is of a public nature, and is approved by the nation at large, the author is then enthusiastic and unmeasured in his demonstration of applause.

Philip Experiens is accused of an extraordinary instance of baseness; viz., that of advising Albert, the son of Casimir, to expose the greatest of his nobility to slaughter in Moldavia, in order that no one might be left strong enough to defend the liberty and laws. Paul Jovius, who accuses him of this, gives him, nevertheless, the credit of having written the History of Ladislaus, in a manner superior to all other historians since the days of Tacitus. If Jovius is as just in his accusation as he is unjust in his criticism, Philip Experiens* has, I fear, little to hope on the borders of Paradise.

What Paul Jovius says of historians and the spirit of party had been said, long before him, by Diodorus Siculus. He is himself, also †, to be attended to only in certain things; since his own confession throws an air of falsehood over his whole history: for his confession allows that he wrote truly or falsely, as men * Historia de Rege Ulladislao seu clade Varnensi. + Historiarum sui Temporis.

courted or neglected his favour. Brantome, Scaliger, Bodin, Vossius, Osorius, and Balzac, therefore held him in contempt. His wit, the multitude of his anecdotes, his occasional humour, and his curious observations, however, gained him no inconsiderable fame; and he still continues to be quoted, though the authors, who quote him, feel and know, at the time, that he is not to be trusted.

Shall we now turn to Vertot? His histories of Revolutions have been much respected. A curious anecdote, however, is recorded of him. Intending to write a history of the knights of Malta, he sent to Italy for a collection of original materials concerning the siege of Rhodes. These materials did not arrive soon enough to answer the impatience of the historian, and he, therefore, wrote his narration without them. At length the documents arrived, and he opened the parcel; but finding what it contained, he cast it on the sofa behind him, coolly exclaiming, Mon siège est 'fait.'

This anecdote reminds me of Smollett. No history was ever composed with such expedition as his ' History of England.' It comprises a period of one thousand eight hundred and three years; that is, from the first invasion of Julius Cæsar to the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. Yet it was written and copied out for the press in the ludicrous space of fourteen months! Previous to publication, the author wrote to Lord Shelburne, requesting the patronage of the government; but having insinuated, that unless his wish were complied with, he should write in the spirit of the opposite party,

Lord Shelburne disdained reply. The historian kept his word; and this history, even now, is still held in no small share of esteem. Ex uno disce multos! Let us turn from their pages, and seek those scenes, in preference, where the breath of flowers enricheth the ' grass,' and where—

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Pure rills through vales of verdure warbling go,

While wonder, love, and joy, the peasant's heart o'erflow.'

Beattie.

Notwithstanding all that I have said, it is proper to confess, that as society is now constituted, the study of history is not only indispensable to the statesman, but to every member of the community. The time, however, I hope, will nevertheless come, when the history of the present past will be sunk into an oblivion even deeper than that of Egypt before the erection of the Pyramids. For certain I am, that no solid happiness can ever accrue to mankind at large, so long as the pages of history are equally indispensable to those who are governed, as to those who govern.

CVII.

WHO BEAR LIBELS WELL.

I WAS admitted to some of the secrets of masonry under the mastership of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex. I confess I was struck with surprise that injunctions of secresy should be carried to the extent of an oath. If masonic principles are good for one,' Why not pro

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thought I, they must be good for all.

mulgate them?' Nor can I perceive, after an experience of more than eight-and-twenty years, that any solid

good arises out of this secresy. But, being sworn to secresy, I, of course, keep my oath. I would, however, presume to recommend the modification of it; since it is not only unmanly and unchristianly, but vulgar.

Walking, one day, near the new church in the Strand, I saw, exposed for sale, a packet sealed up, with a printed notification, that the secrets of Masonry were contained therein, and that they might be bought for half-a-guinea. Sir,' said I to the vendor-for I was moved with indignation at this violation of our sanctity— it surprises me that a person of your apparent respectability should be connected with a rascal ' and a villain!'

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'I am not connected with a rascal and a villain, sir,' answered he; and I dare you to the proof.' This packet, sir,' said I, 'contains the proof; for it con'tains the secrets of masonry.' 'Well, sir, and what then?' 'If it do contain the secrets of masonry,' I replied, the man who wrote them has broken a solemn oath, and therefore deserves the pillory. If it do not, he is a cheat, and deserves a public whipping.' The person who wrote them,' returned the vendor, 'placed them here for me to sell. I gain three shillings and sixpence by every one I do sell; and if I 'did not sell them, some other persons would. The same things would be sold whether I sell them or not; ' and I should lose, perhaps, fifteen shillings a week.' That is your justification?' 'It is.' 'Well; I accused only him, that wrote and sealed the packet; now 'I accuse you for selling it; the receiver is

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Very likely, sir, very likely; but I am not going to lose fifteen shillings a-week to please you or any