III. One of the most important directions for facilitating the study of history, is to begin with authors who present a general view of the whole subject. This is like sketch ing an entire outline, before any part of the picture is finished ; and learning the grand divisions of the earth, before the geography of particular countries is studied. The principal advantage of this method is, that it gives a clear idea of the comparative importance, as well as of the connection, which the history or any particular coun try bears to the history of the world. The same ath ice is applicable to a person who proposes to study any particular period of the history of any particular coun try. He ought, in the first place, to make himself acquainted with the history of the country in general, and then study the history of the particular period. The his tory of the civil wars, during the reign of Charles I. will excite comparative little interest, and afford comparatively little instruction, unless an acquaintance with the previous history of England enables us to trace the causes of those wars, and the condition, feelings, opinions, influence and views, not merely of the different parties, but also of the different classes of the community.
A general acquaintance with the whole course of his tory, will render it less necessary to attend to the order in which particular histories are read ; for if the reader is thus previously prepared, by a general acquaintance with history, he will be able to refer any particular history he engages in to its proper place in universal history. Indeed, after a thorough introduction to a whole course of history, it is comparatively a matter of little moment, in what order and connexion particular histories are read ; for they will easily, and without confusion, range themselves in the mind in their proper place, and appropriate rank in point of im portance.
There are several epitomes of universal history. While the custom of giving lectures prevailed in the foreign universities, the most celebrated were Tursellius's and Le Clerc's ; but the use and popularity of these Latin epito mes has very considerably diminished, since the lectures have been given in the vernacular tongues of the respec tive countries of Europe. Tursellius's is a judicious and elegant performance ; but by no means impartial or candid, where the interests of the Catholic church interfere. That of Le Clerc's is not liable to the same objection ; hut at the same time it must he remarked, that it is not entitled to the same praise. With these epitomes may be men tioned, as also written in Latin. Sleidan's lniroductio ad Historian, or a brief account of the Babylonian, Persian, Macedonian, and the Roman monarchies.
Bossuet's Discours sur I'Histoire Universelle, which may he regarded as an epitome of ancient history, as it comes down only to the period of Charlemagne, acquired a repu tation at its first appearance hardly warranted by its merits, and which it has by no means supported. It is an elegant,
and in some parts even an eloquent performance ; but these are recommendations to history of very small comparative importance, when contrasted with credulity, bigotry, and partiality, with which this performance is justly chargea ble. One of the most useful epitomes, upon the whole, is that written by Baron Holberg, in Latin, and translated, with improvements and additions, into English, by Gregory Sharpe. Its most prominent and serious defect is, that too little notice is taken of the history of Greece. None of these epitomes direct the attention of the reader to any other subject than the political part of history ; they seldom or ever enter into the consideration of the causes or con sequences of events ; and never digress, if digression it may be properly called, into the consideration of the state of the arts and sciences, religion, laws, manners, govern ment, and literature, during the different epochs of which they treat. In fact, they will by no means satisfy the mind that wishes to attain a proper introduction to history, as it is now generally written. For this purpose, the Elements of General History, Ancient and Modern, by the late Alex ander Fraser Tytler, Lord \Voodhnusclee, ought to be read : In point of arrangement, due proportion and con nection of parts, perspicuity and interest of style, a philoso phical spirit, and the elucidation of the state of the arts and Sciences, literature, Scc. this work may be justly com mended in the highest tel ms. The Philosophy of History, by Logan, and a larger work said to be written by the same author, but published under the name of Rutherford, should also be perused, preparatory to entering upon a regular course of history. Of the larger epitomes of an cient history, that of Rollin is the most interesting and complete : it is compiled with scrupulous fidelity from the best Greek and Latin historians : its style is fluent, and even elegant : its great fault is credulity, which prevents the author from discriminating in his recital of events be tween the marvellous and the true. The ancient history of the Abbe Millot, which constitutes the first part of his Histoire Generale, is more brief than that of Rollin ; but, at the same time, more full than the epitomes we have mentioned above. The arrangement of this work is judi cious ; the style precise and compact. In his preface he informs his readers, that his plan is to seize those topics of historical narrative, which present the greatest portion of utility. He gives a bold, and in general a faithful and impaitial sketch of events and characters ; but the obser vations with which he relieves and intermixes his narra tive, arc frequently more distinguished for their obvious truth, than their originality or profoundness.