Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-03-08

Robertson, Hsllam, Mscaulsy, Frcude, Hlldreth,
Bancroft, Irving, Prescott, Motley. But all
have contributed little to the art Of historical
writing. They have only perfected in minor
detsils the plan established by Herodotus and
Thucydides. Ancient history gives Us but few
details Of common life The modern idea is
TO reproduce the total life Of people Our
modern writers have also applied the prin-
ciple of division of labor. and We have his
tories Of literature, Of language. Of inven-
ton snd religion, Of poetry, fiction and oratory.
There Is slto process Of generalization.
We have the Philosophy of History, which was
not possible till the great truth that God
hath made Of one blood all the nations Of men,
wss introduced into modern thought. The
grand conception and aim Of the true Philosophy
Of History. to justify the ways Of Goa to man,
was here most clearly and ably set forth. But
this aim has been only imperfectly realized. 1t
il in fact too large for the present cspscity
Of the human intellect We must wait
for man large enough in mind and soul
to do for the Philosophy Of History what
Herodotus and Thucydides did for the humber
work Of compiling History; who must be as
much more capacious than HerodotCs, as Human
ity is more capscious than Athens; az much more
cspacious than Com;e and Buckle, as Truth is
more cspacious than prejudice
There Is step further II IL now claimel
that History is about to become a science; that
prophecy is as much within her province 81 re-
collection. When the free human Eill becomes the
machine which this theory supposes il to be
moving with just the force and direction given
to It by outward events when the aggregate Of
free human wills that We cal people OF uation
becomes gigantic machine. on which natural
forces work under unyarying lass TO unvsrying
results when great 0riginsi men cease % arise,
who, by one tap Of their finger, overthrow AL
calculation aud turn the whole course of history
in some new direction when history csn be
perfectly sure JhAt Providence never superyenes
TO adj new element Of good or eliminate one Of
evil then, if history can attain onnisoienee,
she msy attain to science and prophecy.
Blt until then, if she suffer herself 20
be pulled up with this overseen.ng idel
Of her powers, and sttempt TO scae height
which beongs only 10 inspiration, she may for
a uiiei period vaunt AMI strut upon the giily
eminence, hut will soon he foreei with much
oss Of dignity and respect, 70 descend 20 her oEu
proper level. On that level she hss already
done work which Is second 10 grandeur and IN
beneficial results TO nothing thar human genius
and enterprise have achiesei a1i on that zane
trost aud inviting plain fields await her still
isiter than any yet cu,tivStel ami hiryests Of
fame and blessing smp'er than aay ye' respet
The le-ure delighted al vao heard it by its
clear sud beautiful style, AMI By the ra-s and
vide scholarship sai Gue thought displayed
ia II. I. vas one Of tie iles: things that Presi-
ieat Bd1khan has giyea 20 'hs public. which is
saying much.
The iiea of this new course Of lectures. thus
fl-:ualtsly i1auguratei, strikes us s. an e1
o4eiiugly happy one. The course j. going to
bring tbe University .-to still e,ossr contact with
our community, and give to those outside its
ws.s be iirec, teueft TO sla.e extent, ofthe Cd
sch -'.r-hip s'1Ri within them sl3 We thins
j. ~il be as popular as 3. IS valuable. Tie next
lecture viIbeby Professor 0o!iier,ou ,le Spectre
scope, the intention beiag 20 s.terrs'e soiear.d.
with l.erlry sui j5cts