Were most historical events traced up to their true causes,I fear we should not find them much more noble or disinterested than Luther's disappointed avarice;and therefore I look with some contempt upon those refining and sagacious historians,who ascribe all,even the most common events,to some deep political cause;whereas mankind is made up of inconsistencies,and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character.The wisest man sometimes acts weakly,and the weakest sometimes wisely.Our jarring passions,our variable humors,nay,our greater or lesser degree of health and spirits,produce such contradictions in our conduct,that,I believe,those are the oftenest mistaken,who ascribe our actions to the most seemingly obvious motives;and I am convinced,that a light supper,a good night's sleep,and a fine morning,have sometimes made a hero of the same man,who,by an indigestion,a restless night,and rainy morning,would,have proved a coward.Our best conjectures,therefore,as to the true springs of actions,are but very uncertain;and the actions themselves are all that we must pretend to know from history.That Caesar was murdered by twenty-three conspirators,I make no doubt:but I very much doubt that their love of liberty,and of their country,was their sole,or even principal motive;and I dare say that,if the truth were known,we should find that many other motives at least concurred,even in the great Brutus himself;such as pride,envy,personal pique,and disappointment.Nay,Icannot help carrying my Pyrrhonism still further,and extending it often to historical facts themselves,at least to most of the circumstances with which they are related;and every day's experience confirms me in this historical incredulity.Do we ever hear the most recent fact related exactly in the same way,by the several people who were at the same time eyewitnesses of it?No.One mistakes,another misrepresents,and others warp it a little to their own,turn of mind,or private views.
A man who has been concerned in a transaction will not write it fairly;and a man who has not,cannot.But notwithstanding all this uncertainty,history is not the less necessary to be known,as the best histories are taken for granted,and are the frequent subjects both of conversation and writing.Though I am convinced that Caesar's ghost never appeared to Brutus,yet I should be much ashamed to be ignorant of that fact,as related by the historians of those times.Thus the Pagan theology is universally received as matter for writing and conversation,though believed now by nobody;and we talk of Jupiter,Mars,Apollo,etc.,as gods,though we know,that if they ever existed at all,it was only as mere mortal men.This historical Pyrrhonism,then,proves nothing against the study and knowledge of history;which,of all other studies,is the most necessary for a man who is to live in the world.It only points out to us,not to be too decisive and peremptory;and to be cautious how we draw inferences for our own practice from remote facts,partially or ignorantly related;of which we can,at best,but imperfectly guess,and certainly not know the real motives.The testimonies of ancient history must necessarily be weaker than those of modern,as all testimony grows weaker and weaker,as it is more and more remote from us.I would therefore advise you to study ancient history,in general,as other people,do;that is,not to be ignorant of any or those facts which are universally received,upon the faith of the best historians;and whether true or false,you have them as other people have them.But modern history,I mean particularly that of the last three centuries,is what I would have you apply to with the greatest attention and exactness.There the probability of coming at the truth is much greater,as the testimonies are much more recent;besides,anecdotes,memoirs,and original letters,often come to the aid of modern history.
The best memoirs that I know of are those of Cardinal de Retz,which Ihave once before recommended to you;and which I advise you to read more than once,with attention.There are many political maxims in these memoirs,most of which are printed in italics;pray attend to,and remember them.I never read them but my own experience confirms the truth of them.Many of them seem trifling to people who are not used to business;but those who are,feel the truth of them.
It is time to put an end to this long rambling letter;in which if any one thing can be of use to you,it will more than pay the trouble I have taken to write it.Adieu!Yours.