XCV. We have laid before the reader all these historical accounts, to
let him see, that even to contradict the best-attested relations, and
such as have generally been accepted and admitted as true upon the credit
of a multitude of writers, and upon the authority of judicial acts,
there are so many strong arguments to be alledged, that they excite in
the understanding a propensity to doubt them, which doubting sometimes
leads to a discovery of their falshood; and from hence we may learn how
difficult it is, not only to hit upon the certain, but even to point out
what is most probable in history, although I do not, on this account,
pretend to adopt absolute Pyrrhonism, or to claim a general suspension of
assent to all that is related by historians. There is a large field for
distrust, which, carried to a certain length, is discretion; and, to an
extravagant one, folly. It is necessary to examine with great attention,
the limits to which doubt may be extended, and to extricate yourself from
the labyrinth of it, whenever it is in your power, either by the road of
truth, or the path of probability.
XCVI. What I mean to illustrate, is the great difficulties that are to be
encountered in exercising worthily the occupation of an historian:
to do it well, requires immense reading, a most happy memory, and a
criticism that is extremely delicate. How can a man by reading one or
two authors, pretend to investigate the truth of what is related by an
infinite number? I don’t pretend that it is absolutely necessary he
should read them all; for this many times would be impossible; and with
respect to those, who he knows did nothing more than copy from others,
superfluous; but he should read all those who are of especial note,
either on account of the time in which they lived, the diligence with
which they applied themselves, or on account of some other circumstances,
which might contribute to their acquiring the most punctual information.
It is not sufficient to read modern authors only, but you ought rather to
proceed by retrospection; and, by beginning at the bottom, trace things
upwards through the series of time, till you arrive at the fountains
where the original writers drank, and from whom the others derived their
intelligence. Neither is the reading antient authors sufficient, as
it sometimes happens, that modern ones meet with monuments that were
concealed from the others, which often serve to explain old events; and,
upon the strength of which, they sometimes exhibit such solid arguments,
as render difficult, or totally obstruct our assent to the account given
of them by the ancients.
XCVII. Neither is it sufficient to read those authors who, from motives
of partiality, would strive to make their relations correspond with their
wishes. The rectitude of historic decision, requires that we should hear
every one, even our enemies, and pronounce sentence, not according to our
inclinations, but the strength and quality of the proofs.
XCVIII. It conduces much, in order to investigate the truth of events
related by authors, and is also in a manner necessary, to know the
situation and circumstances of the authors themselves; because in these,
we may find motives to give or deny them credit; such, as what country
they were born in, what religion they professed, and what party they were
attached to, whether they were under obligations to, or had cause to be
dissatisfied with the persons they introduce in their histories, and
whether they were the dependants or relations of any of them, &c.
XCIX. But, above all, it is necessary to find out the natural disposition
of an author. There are some, who so strikingly display the character of
men of truth and sincerity, that they command our belief of them, even
when they speak in favour of the party they are attached to. In this
elevated point of view, we may venture to place Philip de Comines, our
Mariana, and Henry Catherinus. But to acquire this knowledge of authors,
demands singular perspicuity; for, although it is generally said, that
in the writings of authors we may read their genius and disposition, we
should reflect, that these are much more easy to be disguised by the
pen than with the tongue. It is well known, that Sallust was a man of
debauched morals; but notwithstanding this, there is scarce any other
author, in whom we find such frequent declamations against vice.
C. The degree of reading and extent of historical information that is
required, either to write or make a just judgment of any history, is very
great. It is not only necessary to know exactly the religion, laws, and
customs of the nations to which the events relate, in order to be clear
whether they are repugnant to or correspondent with them; but it is also
frequently necessary to know those of other nations, because it often
happens, that the circumstances of one kingdom are blended with those
of another, either by commerce, wars, or a thousand other accidental
contingencies.