Languages & literature > Abridgement of lectures on rhetoric

HISTORICAL WRITING. 21J
ance with them. In this kind of writing Plutarch ex¬
cels ; but his matter is better, than his manner ; he has
no peculiar beauty, nor elegance. His judgment and
accuracy alfo are fometimes taxed. But he is a very
humane writer, and fond of difplaying great men in.
the gentle lights of retirement.
Before we conclude this fubjeft, it is proper to ob-
ferve, that of late years a great improvement has been
introduced into hiftorical compofition. More particu¬
lar attention, than formerly, has been given to laws,
cuftoms, commerce, religion, literature, and to every
thing, that Ihows the fpirit and genius of nations. It
is now conceived^ that a hi dorian ought to illuftrate
manners as well, as fadts and events. Whatever dif-
plays the date of mankind in different periods ; what¬
ever illudrates the progrefs of the human mind ; is
more ufeful, than details of fieges and battles.
PHILOSOPHICAL WRITING and DIA¬
LOGUE.
O F Philofophy the profeffed defign is inftrudlicn.
With the philofopher therefore ftyle, form, and drefs
are inferior- objedts. But they muft not be wholly neg-
ledted. The fame truths and reafonings, delivered
with elegance, wall ftrike more, than in a dull and dry
manner.