Selected quad for the lemma: prince_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prince_n	duke_n	king_n	savoy_n	4,461	5	11.5012	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A43199	Ductor historicus, or, A short system of universal history and an introduction to the study of that science containing a chronology of the most celebrated persons and actions from the creation to this time, a compendious history of ... transactions ... of the ancient monarchies and governments of the world, an account of the writings of the most noted historians ... together with definitions and explications of terms used in history and chronology, and general instructions for the reading of history / partly translated from the French of M. de Vallemont, but chiefly composed anew by W.J., M.A.	Hearne, Thomas, 1678-1735.; Vallemont, abbé de (Pierre Le Lorrain), 1649-1721. Elémens de l'histoire.	1698 (1698)	Wing H1309; ESTC R15760	279,844	444

leaving his Princess the Daughter of King Charles II. with Child of our present King who was Born Nov. 14. 1650. The Island Iamaica in America taken by the English 1655. Christina Queen of Sweden resigns her Crown and goes to Rome 1654. Carolus Gustavus Duke of Deux-ponts her Cousin succeds her 1654. Alphonsus King of Portugal succeeds his Father 1656. Being Lunatick is confin'd and his Brother made Regent Leopoldus-Ignatius-Iosephus the present Emperor of Germany began to Reign Iuly 22. 1658. Oliver Cromwel dy'd Sept. 3. 1658. A War between France and Spain having lasted 25 Years is at length ended by a Peace concluded in the Isle of Pheasants near the Pyrenean Mountains 1659. After half a dozen Changes of Government in England in one Years time the Rump being by General Monk's Management dissolv'd and a Free Parliament chosen it was resolv'd by the Parliament April 20. That Charles II. was lawful and undoubted King and Messengers immediately sent to Breda to invite him Home 1660. EPOCHA XIV King Charles II. Restor'd the ancient Government and Laws of England Re-establish'd and Europe in a Profound Peace 1660. ANd here we must make a Stand for who can pass so pleasant a Sight as this happy Year gives us of the peaceful State of all Europe without taking a View of the agreeable Prospect In England our celebrated Augustus shuts up the Temple of Ianus and by his happy Influence gives the Muses Liberty and the Merchant Protection Learning and Wit flourish Trade enriches the Nation and a general Joy drives away the Sorrows which the late Tyrannical Usurpation had cast over all the good and honest part of the People The hungry Beggars that had usurp'd the Senate-house were now expell'd and forc'd to refund the sweet Morsels which they had robb'd the King the Clergy and their Fellow-Subjects of under the specious Name of Sequestration In short the King the Laws the ancient Liberty Government and Peace was restor'd and England was made happy In Germany the War which the Emperor King of Poland and Elector of Brandenburg had maintain'd against the King of Sweden was ended that between Sweden and Denmark as also between France and Sweden terminated and finally France and Spain reconcil'd by the Pyrenean Peace and afterwards by the Marriage of the the Infanta to the King So that we may truly call this Annus Pacificus of Europe and compare this with the Augustan Age. May 29 1660. King Charles II. makes his Triumphant Entrance into London it being the Day of his Birth in the Twelfth Year of his Reign and on the 23d of April following was Crowned Leopold Ignatius being at that time Emperor of Germany Philip IV. King of Spain Lewis XIV King of France Alphonso King of Portugal Charles X. King of Sweden Christiern V. King of Denmark Alexius Michaeliwitz Czar of Moscovy Iohn Casimer King of Poland Alexander VII Pope of Rome Franciscus Molino Doge of Venice Ferdinand II. Duke of Florence Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy and finally Mahomet IV. Sultan of the Turks 1661. In France Cardinal Mazarine being dead Mar. 9 1661. that King takes the Government wholly into his own Hands The Dauphin Born Nov. 1. 1661. King Charles of England marries Donna Catherina Infanta of Portugal May 22. 1662. Venner and the Fifth Monarchists make a Riot and bloody Rebellion for a few Days in London 166● The first Dutch War 1665. A raging Pestilence at London 1665. War proclaim'd against France who side with the Dutch 1665 6. A violent Fire which burnt down the greatest part of London 1666. The Dutch at Chatham 1667. A Peace concluded at Breda by England with France and Holland 1667. War betwixt France and Spain 1667. The Theatre at Oxford built by A. Bp. Sheldon 1668. Treaty of Peace between Spain and France at Aix la Chapelle 1668. The City and Island of Candia taken by the Turks 1669. Clement IX Pope 1670. The Duke of Lorrain dispossest of his Dominions by the French 1670. The second Dutch War 1672. The French King invades Holland over-runs the Country and commits very barbarous Ravage 1672. Spain declares against France 1673. A Faction in Holland headed by de Witt taking Advantage of the Prince of Orange's Minority had some Years before this resolv'd no more to admit of a Stadtholder but at this time the miserable State of their Country through the French Tyranny which was carried on because the Dutch wanted some skilful Captain made the People mutiny and oblige the States to restore the Prince to the Dignity and Honours of his Ancestors 1674. Peace between England and Holland 1674. Victor Amadaeus present Duke of Savoy succeeds his Father 1675. Pope Clement X. dies and is succeeded by Benedict Odeschalci who took the Name of Innocent XI 1676. The Prince of Orange comes over to England and marries the Lady Mary our late gracious Queen 1677. Peace concluded at Nimeguen between France and Holland 1678. Also between Spain and France 1678. Also between the Emperor and France The Popish Plot in England discover'd 1678. The Dauphin marries the Princess of Bavaria 1679. The Duke of Burgundy eldest Son to the Dauphin born 1681. Algiers Bombarded by the French 1682. The Czar of Moscovy dying causes Disputes which of the Sons should succeed at length 't was agreed they both should Reign together 1682. War between the Emperor and the Turks Tangier quitted and destroy'd by the English 1683. Vienna Besieg'd by the Turks 60 Days at length Reliev'd and the Siege rais'd with great Slaughter of the Turks by the King of Poland Sept. 12. 1683. Genoa Bombarded by the French 1684. Luxemburg taken by the French 1684. King Charles II. died Feb. 6. 1684 5. and is immediately succeeded by his Brother Iames Duke of York Earl of Argyle Invades Scotland 1685. Duke of Monmouth Invades England 1685. Both defeated and Executed by K. Iames 1685. The Grand Seignior Mahomet IV. being depos'd Solyman III. succeeds him 1687. The French King breaks the Peace with Germany and his Son takes Philipsburg Octob. 1688. The People of England oppress'd by King Iames's Government the Prince of Orange in prosecution of an Invitation to that purpose comes over to England with an Army for their Relief Nov. 5. 1688. King Iames quits the Government and retires privately from Whitehall Dec. 12. 1688. being put ashore at Feversham returns to London Decemb. 1688. The Prince of Orange comes to London and King Iames retires to Rochester 1687. whence he privately departs for France 1688. A Convention or Parliament being assembled they declare William Prince of Orange together with his Princess Mary King and Queen of England Feb. 13. 1688 8. France declares War against Holland Nov. 1688. K. William and Q. Mary Crowned Apr. 21. 1689. England declares War against France May 7th 1689. The Convention of Scotland Resolve to offer the Crown to King William and Queen Mary Apr. 16. 1689. which the Deputies present to him May 16. 1689. King Iames passes from

by frequent Minorities produces none but lazy ill educated Princes who leave all the Authority to the Mayors of the Palace 693. Theodosius III. Emperor 714. The Moors being Masters of Spain endeavour to spread beyond the Pyrenees but Charles Martel Mayre of the Palace repulses them He defeats them in the famous Battle at Tours where Abderame their General is slain with a prodigious number of those Infidels 716. All the Gauls submitted to the French under Charles Martel 716. Leo Isaurus Emperor 716. Great Dispute about Image-worship Constantius Copronymus Emperor 741. Pepin Son to Charles Martel raises himself to the Royal Dignity to which Childeric's sloth had opened him a way Pope Zacharias declares the French free from the Oath of Allegiance they had sworn to Childeric 752. Charles the Great succeeds his Father Pepin 767. Leo made Collegue with his Father in the Empire 769. Marries Irene makes his Son Collegue 777. Constantine with his Mother Irene 780. Constantius and Irene expel one another alternately at length Irene reigns alone 790. Alphonsus the Chast reigns in Spain and frees it from the ignominous Tribute of an hundred Virgins which his Uncle Mauregat had granted the Moors 793. The Romans despising the Government of Irene then sole Empress and the Lombards being grown too powerful apply themselves to Charlemaign who having conquer'd Desiderius the last King of Lombardy protected the Popes won over to Christianity unbelieving Nations restored Sciences and Ecclesiastical Discipline assembled Councils and made his Piety and Justice shine throughout all the World is declared Emperor of the West 800. EPOCHA XII Charlemaign or the Establishment of the New Empire 800. This Epocha goes to the taking of Constantinople by the Turks and thereby the Downfal of the Eastern Empire and lasts 653 Years CHarles the Great call'd in French Charlemaign was one of the greatest Princes that has been He was Couragious Learned and Eminent by a great many Virtues He favoured very much Men of Learning having declared himself Patron to them as well as to the Holy See for he took no less Care of the Church than he did of his Kingdom Pope Leo III. who in 795. had succeeded Adrian was very much abused by his Enemies which Charlemaign sensibly resenting came to Rome to punish the Authors of it The Pope out of a grateful Acknowledgment for the many Favours which both this King his Father and Grandfather had done the Holy See crowned him on Christmas-day in S. Peter's Church and saluted him Emperor Thus the 800th Year of JESUS CHRIST gave a New Emperor to the West Nicephorus obtains the Empire of the East from Irene 803. Michael Curopolitanus Emperor of the East 811. Leo V. Emperor of the East 813. The Heptarchy in Britain was united in Egbert who was Crowned sole Monarch 819. He gave the Name of England to his Kingdom The Danes begin to Infest the Land Ludovicus Pius Emperor of the West 814. His Children conspire against and Imprison him for some time 830. Michael Balbus Emperor of the East 821. Theophilus his Son succeeds him 829. Michael his Son 842. Ethelwolf Son of Egbert King of England 837. The Dominions of Ludovicus Pius divided amongst his Sons Lotharius has the Title of Emperor and Dominion over Italy c. Ludovicus part of Germany and France c. and Charles sirnam'd the Bald the rest 841 Michael the Eastern Emperor expells his Mother who had Rul'd with him 854. Bardas her Brother Rules with his Nephew 855. Lewis II. Emperor of the West 856. Ethelwald King of England 857. Ethelbert succeeds him 860. Ethelred King of England 866. Basilius Macedo Emperor 867. The Danes rage here Alfred King of England 872. He is much molested by the Danes An eminently Virtuous Prince He founds the University of Oxford Charles the Bald Emperor of the West 876. Lewis III. call'd the Stammerer 878. Carolus Crassus Emperor 880. The Normans a Northern People invade and lay waste the Western part of France while the Sarazens spoil Italy Carlomanus who had agreed to give the Normans 12000 Marks of Silver to make them leave his Dominions is no sooner Dead but they come again into his Kingdom out of a subtle pretence that the Treaty ended with his Life Hugh the Abbot Fights them and makes such a Slaughter of them that they left France in quiet for some time 884. However Lewis the Simple soon after permits them to settle in that part now call'd Normandy Leo VI. succeeds his Father Basilius in the Empire of the East 886. Arnolphus chosen Emperor of the West 888. Eudo charges the Normans kills 19000 of them and drives them before him every where 889. Lewis IV. his Son a Child Emperor 900. Oppos'd by another Lewis set up by the Pope Edward the Elder Son of Alfred King of England 901. The Hungarians waste Germany Italy c. in the time of Lewis IV. in whom ended the Line of Charlemaign in Germany for the Empire was given to Otho Duke of Saxony and afterwards Conrad Duke of Franconia chosen Emperor 912. Alexander Son of Leo Emperor of the East 911. Romanus his Collegue 919. Raises his Sons to the Empire they expel him 944. And Quarrelling between themselves are depos'd by Constantine who Reigns alone till Poyson'd by Romanus II. who makes himself Emperor of the East 960. Henry sirnam'd the Fowler Emperor of the West 920. Ethelstane King of England 924. Otho the Great Emperor of the West 938. Edmond Son of Ethelston King of England 940. Edred Brother to Edmond succeeded in the Non-age of his Nephews 946. Edwin the eldest Son of Edmond a wicked Prince 955. Edgar his Brother a very good Prince 959. Otho the Great subdued and converted to Christianity The Danes conquer'd in Italy Hungary Bohemia c. Iohn Zimisca Emperor of the East 969. he obtain'd Victories over the Sarazens and honours the Image of the Virgin Mary and first coin'd Gold with this Inscription Iesus Christus Rex Regum Otho II. Son to Otho the Great Emperor of West 973. Basil and Constantine Brothers Emperors of East 975. Edward sirnamed the Martyr King of England 975. Kill'd by his Step-mother Elfreda and succeeded by Ethelred with Elfreda 978. The Danes invade the Land and committing great ravage are all Massacred in one Day 1002. Henry call'd the Saint Duke of Saxony chosen Emperor 1008. The Sarazens by the Instigation of the Iews pull down the Church of Ierusalem and the Holy Sepulcher which revives the Devotion of the Christians of the West and their Hatred against the Iews whom they Banish and Destroy 1009. Edmund sirnam'd Ironside King of England 1016. At the same time Canute the Dane was made King by part of the Nation Guido Aretinus a Monk invents musical Notes 1022. Conrade II. Duke of Franconia Emperor 1025. Romanus III. Emperor of the East 1028. Michael Paphlago Emperor of the East 1034. Herald the Dane King of England 1036. Hardicanute succeeds him 1040. a wicked Prince the

of Portugal by all whom being refus'd he at length obtain'd it of Ferdinand and Isabella King and Queen of Spain who in the Year 1492. gave him Three Ships with Men and Provisions with these he set out and happily effected his Intention discovering Cuba and Hispaniola and return'd to Spain 1493. Afterwards Americus Vespusius being set forth by Emanuel King of Portugal discover'd the Southern Continent of America which Name he had the Honour to give to all that vast Country 149● Maximilian Emperor an excellent Prince 1493. Henry VIII King of England 1509. he married Katharin of Spain the Widow of his Brother Arthur 1509. Charles V. Son of Philip who was the Son of Maximilian and Mary of Burgundy which Philip married Ioan the Heiress of Spain by which means Charles succeeded in both these Estates 1516. and was chosen Emperor on the Death of Maximilian 1519. Fr. Picus Count of Mirandola in Italy and D. Erasmus Native of Rotterdam flourished Martin Luther begins to Preach in Germany against Indulgences and other Errors of the Church of Rome 1517. Solyman styl'd The Magnificent began to Reign 1520. The Island and City of Rhodes after a vigorous Defence taken by the Turks 1523. Belgrade was taken and Vienna besieg'd by Solyman King Henry of England Wars successfully with France 1510. writes against Luther and obtains the Title of Defender of the Faith 1521. Is divorc'd from Queen Katharin and marries Anne Bollen 1533. Beheads her and marries Iane Seymour 1536. Marries Anne of Cleeve and Katharin Howard 1540. Marries again the Lady Katharin Parr 1543. he advanc'd Cardinal Wolsey to the highest pitch of Greatness who having displeas'd him is pull'd down and Cromwel advanc'd 1531. Cromwel also disgrac'd and beheaded 1540. This King suppress'd Monasteries and made way for the Reformation which follow'd in the Reigns of his Son and Daughters The Straights of Magellanica in America discover'd and nam'd by Ferdinand Magellan 1520. Mexico and Peru conquer'd by the Spaniards about this time The Name of Protestant first began on occasion of a Protestation the Lutherans made against a Decree of the Chamber of Spire against them 1529. The Smalcaldan League or agreement between the Protestants of Germany for their mutual Defence made at Smalcald 1540. The Council of TRENT began 1540. Edward VI. Son of Henry VIII by his Wife Iane Seymour succeeds his Father at 9 Years of Age 1547. a wonderfully wise and pious Prince he reforms Religion and expels the Superstition and false Doctrin of the Romish Church his Uncle Edward Seymour the Protector beheaded 1551. Mary his Sister succeeds him 1553. she restores Popery marries Philip the Son of the Emperor Charles V. afterwards King of Spain 1554. loses Callice which had been held by the English ever since King Edward IIId's time 1557. Elizabeth her Sister Queen of England 1558. restores the Reformation and reigns with great Wisdom and Reputation 44 Years The Emperor Charles V. Resigns all his Kingdoms 1557. Ferdinand his Brother chosen Emperor 1558. Philip II. his Son succeeds him in Spain 1558. Charles IX King of France 1560. The Civil War for Religion began there 1562. The Massacre of the Protestants at Paris 1572. Maximilian II. Emperor 1564. The Wars in the Low-Countries against the Inquisition c. began 1565. King Philip sends Duke d' Alva to suppress it 1567. William Prince of Orange heads the Protestants in the Low-Countries 1572. Under whose Protection Holland throws off the Spanish Yoke and soon after Six more of the Provinces joyn with them and altogether conclude a solemn Union at V●recht 1579. Queen Elizabeth being at this time at War with Spain gives them assistance The famous Sea Fight at Lepanto wherein the Venetians kill 20000 Turks and sink 200 Galleys 1572. Henry III. King of France 1574. The Holy League in France began 1576. Rodolphus II. Emperor 1576. Sir Francis Drake Sails through the Magallonnie Streights thence over to the Phillipine Islands and the East-Indies and having encompass'd the whole Globe of the Earth returns to England 1580. Pope Gregory XIII Corrects the Calander 1582. William Prince of Orange Assassinated at Delft 1584. Succeeded by his Brother Maurice who for many Years maintain'd the War against the Spaniards The Spaniards with a mighty Armado attempt to invade England but are totally routed by the English 1588. Mary Queen of Scots beheaded in England 1587. Henry III. King of France is stab'd by Ia. Clement a Friar 1589. Henry IV. King of Navarre succeeds him 1589. Turns Roman Catholick restores the Peace of the Nation Years of Jes. Chr. Makes an Edict at Nants in favour of the Protestants 1598. Is stab'd by Ravillac 1610. Iames King of Scotland succeeds Queen Elizabeth in the Throne of England 1602. The Gun-powder Plot 1605. Philip III. King of Spain 1598. Peace made between Spain and Holland whereby the united Provinces are declar'd a free State 1609. Lewis XIII King of France 1610. Gustavus Adolphus the famous King of Sweden began to Reign 1611. Matthias King of Hungary and Bohemia elected Emperor 1612. Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhine Marries the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to King Iames of England 1612. Frederick II. chosen Emperor 1619. The Elector Palatine being chosen King of Bohemia is oppos'd by the Emperor and defeated in the Battle of Prague 1620. Philip IV. King of Spain 1621. The Elector Palatine outed of all his Dignity given to the Duke of Bavaria 1624. Great Wars in Germany ensued King Charles I. King of England succeeds his Father 1625. Henry Frederick Prince of Orange succeeds Maurice 1625. Cardinal Richelieu chief Minister in France He labours to ruine the Protestant Party and finally takes the City Rochel their chief Strength after a long Siege and vigorous Defence 1628. The renown'd Gustavus Adolphus after many victorious Acts in Germany Italy c. is slain at the Battle of Lutzen in Germany November 6 1632. Christina his Daughter succeeds him 1632. Count Tilly the Emperor's General famous for his Conquests in Bohemia Denmark and Germany died 1632. Portugal throws off the Spanish Yoke and receives Iohn Braganza of the ancient Royal Family for their King 1640. Ferdinand III. chosen Emperor 1637. The Rebellion and Massacre in Ireland 1641. King Charles by reason of the Factious disorders in London retires into the North is denied entrance into Hull 1642. Sets up his Standard at Nottingham Aug. 2. 1642. Lewis XIV the present King of France began to Reign being then but Five years old 1643. William II. Prince of Orange Father of his present Majesty of Great Britain succeeded his Father in all his Honours 1647. Peace among the Germans c. concluded at Munster in Westphalia 1648. The Civil War rages in England King Charles I. Martyr'd 164● The famous Rebellion at Naples on occasion of the grievous Excises headed by Thomas Aniello commonly call'd Massanello 1647. Oliver Cromwel usurps the Government of England under the Name of Protector 1651. The Prince of Orange dyes October 8. 1650.

France to Ireland with French Officers and Forces Besieges London-derry which had declar'd for King William Apr. 1689. Ireland standing out for King Iames an Army is sent over under the Command of Duke Schomberg The Castle of Edinburgh which had stood out for King Iames surrender'd Iun. 13. 1689. William Duke of Glocester Son to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Denmark was born Iuly 24. 1689. London-derry reliev'd and the Siege raised Iuly 22. 1689. King William goes over into Ireland with many Noblemen and large Supplies of Men and Ammunition Iune 16. 1690. The Battle of the Boyne wherein King William obtains a very signal and entire Victory over K. Iames and his Army Iuly 11. 1690. Drogheda taken Iuly 1690. King William marches into Dublin Iuly 16. 1690. King Iames flies back to France 1690. The first Siege of Limerick Aug. 1690. The King returns to England after having reduc'd the greatest part of Ireland Sept. 10. 1690. The King passes over to Holland wherein endeavouring to land in his Barge is sorrounded with Ice and detain'd 22 Hours Ian. 20. 1690 1. The Electors of Bavaria and Brandenburg the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel and many Foreign Ministers assemble in Congress at the Hague and conclude a firm Confederacy against France Feb. 1690 1. Mons taken by the French Apr. 8. 1691. The King returns to England Apr 10. 1691. The King goes to the Army in Flanders May 1691. Athlone in Ireland taken by the English Iuly 21. 1691. The Battle of Agrim wherein St. Ruth the French General for King Iames is killed and his Army totally routed Iuly 13. 1691. Innocent XII the present Pope Elected Iuly 12. 1691. Limerick surrendred and Ireland totally reduc'd Octob. 3. 1691. The English Fleet obtains a great Victory over the French and burn above 20 of their largest and best Ships at la Hogue May 1692. An Earthquake at Iamaica which almost totally destroy'd Port Royal Iune 7. 1692. Namur taken by the French Iuly 3. 1692. The Battle at Steenkirk Iuly 24. 1692. A small Shock of an Earthquake felt in England Holland Flanders and France Sept. 8. 1692. The French take and barbarously destroy Heidelberg Spire Manheim Frankendal and other Places in the Palatinate 1693. The Battle at Neer-Helpen near Landen Iuly 28. 1693. Charleroy taken by the French Oct. 11. 1693. Frederick Augustus Elector of Saxony succeeds his Brother Iohn George May 7. 1694. The English Fleet by Bombs thrown in burn Ha●re de Grace and Diep two considerable Maritime Town● in France Iuly 1694. The Queen taken ill of the Small Pox Dec. 27. 1694. and on the 29th Her Majesty of ever blessed Memory departed this Life Casal taken from the French by the Duke of Savoy Iuly 9. 1695. Namur Invested by the K. and his Army Iuly 9. 1695. and on Sept. 5. the Castle was surrender'd by the French to the Confederates Granville Calais and other Sea-Towns of France Bombarded by the English Fleet this Summer A Plot against His Majesty's Life discovered Feb. 21. 169● Iohn King of Poland departed this Life Iun. 17. 1696. Aeth taken by the French 1697. Barcelona taken by the French 1697. Treaty of Peace at the Palace at Reswick in Holland where on the 10th of September O. S. a Peace is concluded and the Articles signed by the Plenipotentiaries of England France and Holland 1697. A Short SYSTEM OF Universal History PART II. Introduction to History and a Character of Historians Written in French by M. P. L. L. de Vallemont And Englished by Mr. Boyer and Mr. Savage CHAP. I. Of the several Benefits of History IT is altogether unnecessary to say any thing in Commendation of History since it is sufficiently known how great Advantages that Study has always brought to such as have been destin'd to great Employments But at the same time I think my self obliged to set forth some of the Benefits thereof and to lay down a few Rules to be observed by those that would make a right use of it I. History informs us of Things past which otherwise we should know no more of than we do of those to come 'T is true Prophecy dives into Matters before they are parted from their Causes and which perhaps are not effected till after a long space of Years yet however strong Men's Inclinations may run that way it must still be own'd that we are not able to give any tolerable Account of Futurity and that it is God alone who has formed the Chain of Causes that can know what Effects they will produce Moreover what Prophecy commonly teaches us is so very obscure that it seems not to care to be understood till the Things it treats of are come to pass When on the contrary History may be easily comprehended by us as containing Matters handled down from our Fore-fathers to Posterity and which we are commanded by the Law of God to make Search into Enquire of your Father and he 'll inform you Consult your Ancestors and they 'll instruct you Deut. 32.7 Also we could never have the least Insight into Times past were it not for Historians who have all along recorded the most memorable Actions happening in their Time and preserv'd the most precious Thoughts of our Ancestors which would otherwise have been devour'd by Time that never makes any difference betwixt what is past and what to come Wherefore Cicero very indiciously terms History The Record of Time The Evidence of Truth The Life of Memory The Mistress of Life and The Courier of Antiquity In a Word History gives a Being and Existence to what without it would be stifled in the Birth nay it communicates a kind of Immortality to all famous Men whose Actions made 'em to be so much valued while they liv'd II. History is the most excellent and most entertaining Diversion that a Man can possibly have since it may be said particularly thereof what was spoken in general by a very learned Man of all sorts of Books viz. That they were easy and disinteressed Masters which might be consulted at all Times and on all Occasions without Fear either of Raillery Anger or Satyr Hi sunt Magistri qui nos Instruunt sine Virgis Ferula sine Verbis Cholera sine Pannis Pecunia Si Accedas non Dormiunt Si Inquirens Interr●gas non se abscondunt Non remurmurant si Oberres Cacbynnos nesciunt si Ignores Rich. Bury Anglor Regi Cancell in suo Philobiblio III. Those that are defign'd for great Employs have more need of History than any others for they thereby lay a Foundation in their Youth which proves afterwards very serviceable to them however they are preferr'd either in Church or State and which otherwise could not be effected but by a great number of Years It was this Consideration that mov'd the Emperor Basilius to recommend so earnestly the reading of History to his Son and Successor Leo the Philosopher when he says Neglect nothing Son to make the History

more noble without doubt but on the other side he has strain'd them too far and has given us Reason to question Whether he has left us a Romance or a History Quintus Curtius might very well have spar'd to make Alexander so infamous as he does in some Places There are some priviledged Persons whom we ought to treat with Civility and Respect we may indeed relate their personal Faults but we must never offend their Dignity or debase their Greatness Quintus Curtius deserves to be commended for his Sincerity for he speaks the good and the bad of Alexander without being prepossess'd for the Merit of his Hero If one can find Fault with his History it is for being too Polite But nevertheless he has excelled in a pleasant and natural way of describing Manners That Character of Perfection which is conspicuous in those great Men is not to be found any more in the succeeding Ages VII Cornelius Tacitus was born of a Noble Family of Roman Knights and was raised to the highest Dignities in the Common-wealth He liv'd under the Empire of Vespasian and the succeeding Emperors with all the Reputation and Honour due to his Birth and personal Merit He was in Years when he set himself to Write and 't was under the Empire of Trajan that he composed his History of which we have but V Books left Afterwards he wrote his Annals great part of which have also been lost Besides those two Works he publish'd a Treatise of the Manners of the several Nations who in his Time inhabited Germany and the Life of Agricola his Father-in-law The Learned seem to be divided as to the Judgment that ought to be made of his Style yet the Truth is that Tacitus is an incomparable Writer The corruption of his Text occasion'd by the Ignorance of the Transcribers does perhaps make him more obscure than he would be of himself and this is the Opinion of Monsieur de la Mothe le Vayer But let some People say what they please the best way is to side with Vossius who finds so much Eloquence so much Correctness and so many Beauties in Tacitus that he does not stick to say that he is be best and wisest of Writers Quis enim non videt Dictio Taciti quam sit elegans quam tersa limata Et tamen major est laus ista quod nihil eo Scriptore vel cogitari possit prudentius The Emperor Tacitus Two hundred Years after the Death of Tacitus the Historian valued himself upon bearing the same Name with him and being descended from him He caus'd his S●atue to be placed in all Libraries and to preserve his Works to Posterity he caused them to be Transcribed Ten times a Year But all the Care that Emperor used hath been in vain since of One and twenty Years of his History we have only the account of one left and V Books of about Thirty according to St. Ierom's Opinion The Great Duke Come de Medicis made choice of Tacitus among all other Historians as one from whom he expected more sound Precepts and Instructions for his Conduct and more solid Satisfaction to alleviate the Cares which are inseparable from the Government of a State when a Prince endeavours to merit the Title of Father of his Country Casaubon is quite of another Opinion and maintains in his Preface to Polibius that the Reading of Tacitus is most dangerous for Princes by reason of the many ill Examples which are scattered up and down his Works The Stile of Tacitus says Monsieur Rapin is not very proper for History for it is full of Starts and when it shines 't is like a Flash of Lightning which dazles more than it gives light Tacitus is a starting Wit that skips from one thing to another His Sense comprehended in few Words is too close for the Readers Capacity which is often pusled with it And because he does not follow Nature in what he relates and generally forgets that he Speaks to Men so he seldom instructs us as he should As for Example when upon the occasion of the Papian Law he relates the Original of Laws or when in another place he describes the Priviledges of Sanctuaries he does not trace things back to their beginnings he never explains things thoroughly nay sometimes he gives a false Account of them as when he takes upon him to describe the Iewish Religion in the fifth Book of his History His Style is also very improper for it which is a great Fault in an Historian whose primary Function is to instruct Tacitus is still more uneven than Sallust His Connexions are generally forced and the Thread of his Discourse very much Broke and Interrupted which is no small discouragement to the Reader who cannot follow him without putting himself out of Breath There can be no better and exacter Description than that which Tacitus makes of the Treat which the Empress Messalina gave to Silius her Favourite Gallant This was a Vintage Feast with all its Ceremonies the Season being then Autumn and favourable for that purpose Mirth Pleasure Effeminacy Wantonness Impudence Lewdness and Debauchery all in short is there described with an exqiusite Elegance and delicacy of Expression The particulars are related succinctly discreetly and withal in a very lively manner And nothing can be more judiciously placed to make by that gay Picture the Death of Messalina which follows soon after the more Tragical and full of Horror In short there are some happy Circumstances which give a particular Grace to every thing when a Man knows how to employ and place them as he should As for Figures Tacitus is not so scrupulous he seems to aim at nothing but to dazzle us The boldness of his Metaphors and other Tropes makes his Expression so high strained and troublesom Tacitus is an ill Husband of his Fire for he uses it every where his Colours are also too strong and glaring and because he is often too expressive in some things and does not Paint them to the Life he therefore seldom affects us A Description ought not to be too minute and particular but such as is the Description of the Isle of Caprea in the fourth Book of the Annals of Tacitus for we find in it the Reasons Tiberius had to retire thither towards his latter Days which makes it necessary and as it is Concise Polite Elegant and has nothing in it either Impertinent or Superfluous it may be said to be a perfect one Nothing can be finer than the Speech which Tacitus makes Tiberius Speak to the Senate upon the Reformation of Luxury in the third Book of his Annals Never did any Historian make a Prince Speak with more Dignity A Picture ought to be true and resembling wherein Tacitus is not very exact for he rather chuses to follow his own Fancy than imitate Nature and endeavours more to make fine Pictures than true ones If his Pictures can but please as that of Sejanus in the