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O F T H E

STUDY ofHlSTORY.

L E T T E R II.

Concerning the true use and advantages os it.

!_/ E T me say something of history in général,before I descend into the considération of particularparts of it, or of the varions methods of study, orof the diffèrent views of thofe that apply themfelvesto it, as 1 had begun to do inmy former setter.

The love of history feems inséparable fromhuman nature, becaufe it feems inséparable fromfelf-love. The famé principle in this instance carriesus forvvard and backvvard, to future and to pastâges. We imagine that the things, which affectus, must affect posterity : this sentiment runsthrough mankind, from Caesar down to thepariíli clerk in Pope ’s mifcellany. We are fond ofpreferving, as far as it is in ou r frail povver, thememory of our own advenlutes, of thofe of ourown time, and of thofe that preceded it. Rudeheaps of stones hâve been raifed , and ruder hymnsbave been compofed, for this purpofe, by nationswho had not y et the use of arts and setters. Togo no farther back , the triumphs of Odin werecelebrated in runic fongs, and the feats of our

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