Epistle VIII. To Capito.
by
a Gentleman of Trinity College, in Cambridge.
[_]
On the Style and Character of History.
YOU advise me to write History, and you are not alone in this Advice; many others have put me upon it more than once,
and indeed
I am willing enough of my self; not because I believe I shall do it well,
('twere rashness in any one to fancy that before a Tryal) but because I think it a most laudable and glorious thing to preserve those from perishing who deserve Immortality,
and to extend to Posterity the Fame of other Men along with ones own.
Now I confess, there's nothing in the World I so passionately desire and long after,
as to last and be known when I am dead; a Desire most worthy of a Man,
but especially one, who not conscious to himself of any Misdemeanour,
is not afraid of being remember'd hereafter. With this view I spend whole Days and Nights in considering with my self how I may —
mount upon the Wings of Fame (my Wishes go no farther, what follows is more than I dare wish)
And through the World acquire immortal Fame. Yet Oh! — But the first is enough,
and even that I might venture to say nothing but History can warrant and secure to us.
Oratory and Poetry are unentertaining and without Charms, unless they are perform'd with great Eloquence and Exactness; History, though but indifferently written,
always pleases. For Men are naturally curious, and taken with the Knowledge of Things themselves,
stript of Dress and Ornament. Plain Narration, and bare Matter of Fact,
allures and delights them. Besides, I have a Domestick Example to encourage me in this Undertaking.
My Uncle, (Father too by Adoption) has written History
with great Niceness and Veracity; and the Wise tell us, that nothing is more commendable,
than to tread in the Footsteps of those who have gone before us, provided they have taken the right Road.
Why don't I immediately set about it then? I have pleaded, you know, many Causes,
and those very considerable, and weighty ones; these Pleadings of mine,
though I don't expect much from them indeed, I have Thoughts of Revising;
for unless I spend some more time and Study about them, the great Pains I have been at already,
will probably be lost and forgotten with their Author. For whatever we do with regard to Posterity,
if 'tis not finish'd and exact, had as good never have been begun. You'll say,
Why don't you do both, revise your Pleadings, and write your History too?
'Tis what I could wish; but the Work of both is so great, that 'tis abundantly enough to do either to good Purpose.
I began to plead in the
Forum at Nineteen and never knew before now,
what a true Orator ought to be able to do, nay, I am
not yet very clear in my Notion about it neither. Wou'd it not be wrong then,
whilst I have one weighty Concern upon my Hands, to undertake another?
Rhetoric and History, 'tis true, have many Things in common; but still there's a mighty difference in those very Things,
which at first sight appear common to both. Narration is proper for one,
so 'tis for the other; but after another fashion. Low, and mean, and vulgar
Matters may be brought into History; but in Oratory nothing will do but what is far fetch'd,
fine, and spruce, and lofty. History generally requires what's solid,
substantial and sinewy, Bones, Muscles, and Nerves; in Oratory one looks for nothing but Finery and Ornament,
soft wreaths of Fat, and flowing curl'd Locks. In History, we are most of all pleas'd with Strength and Sharpness and Vehemence;
in Oratory, with a delectable Flowingness and Sweetness. In short, they are quite different as to Words,
Pronunciation, Composition. For we must very carefully distinguish, whether,
what we are about be for a , and useful and durable Treasure,
or an a Tryal of Skill, as
Thucydides expresses it. History is the ,
Oratory the . For these Reasons I am against mingling together two Things so unlike;
and both of 'em, which also shews their difference, of the greatest Importance.
In such a Confusion and Jumble I might go wrong, and whilst I
am employ'd in one Thing, do what's proper only in the other. Therefore
I desire I may have Liberty to adjourn this Matter for a while
(to use an Expression peculiar to the
Forum) and go to Council upon it: But however, I would have you consider,
and tell me without any delay, what Times I had best write of: Ancient,
and written by others? Here indeed, the Business of Searching and Examining
is done to my Hands, but then the Comparing, and laying Matters together,
is very troublesome Work. Or, suppose, untouch'd and Modern? Here you displease,
and give great Offense to some, and gain but slender Thanks from others.
For besides one Discouragement there is, that Mankind being so Vicious,
one has more Things to blame than to Praise; when you do Praise, you'll be thought to have said too little;
when you blame, too much; and though you have been never so full in your Commendations,
never so sparing and careful in your finding Fault. But all this shall not hinder me,
for I have a Resolution to be honest, and speak Truth, and Courage enough to support me in that Resolution.
I beg of you therefore, to forward me in this Undertaking you advise me to,
and to chuse for me the Subject of my History, Otherwise, when I am ready to begin,
there will be another fair Pretence to demur, and put off still a little longer.
