Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-05-31
For the Mineral Point TRIBUNE.
A Short Essay on Long Sub
ject- History.


ject- History.
History, we are told is n record Of public
events that have occurred IN different ages and
nations treating of the characters of the per
sons engaged IN HE events winch it records
the motives which Influenced them the cir
cumstances which led to the events the in
cidcnts which accompanied them the effects
which resulted from them involving cOusid
cralions Of the state Of the nations that were
engaged in them; their advances in ciyilizs-
ton and useful arts and their relative posi-
ton with respect TO one another
TO arrive at a knowledge of the particulars
mentioned, some course Of historical reading
becomes necessary, and is The only way to ac-
quirc the desired end. It the general reader
but consider the Indispensable importance of
the acquisition TO be gained That it would
place within his reach knowledge Of the most
remarkable events in the history Of the world F.;
the general condition of mankind in each re-
markablc period Of history every kind Of
knowledge we receive, relative TO matter of
fact, to enable us to investigate the motives
of human conduct and arrive a correct cs-
innate Of mankiud surely he must allow the
business Of the observation, that knowledge
of history is far more requisite and desirable
than any other kind of Information, and be-
You'd comparison more conductive 10 the right
ordering and discipliuing OF mind to lead us To
the knowledge of that vast society Of which
every individual is a member, Than any other
branch Of knowledge, or species of compost
ton.
Poetry amuscs the fancy, eyaits The imagiu.
alton and moves the passions. Romance, like
poetry is am clluson of the imagination, dcS-
cribiug men as they might be, o, ought to
have been; but history represents them as
they arc, or have been. Poetry and romance
paint from fancy History draws from nature
and not from art. 1t is the exhibition of man,
the display Of human life and is essentially
the realm Of matter ot.tact. In fine, it is the
foundation Of all general, useful knowledge ;
being the moving picture Of all generations of
men displaying the effect of political and re-
ligious systems, as bearng or the deslinies of
nations and individuals the rise and fall of
empires, kingdoms, states cite; with the
causes of their prosperity and decline, the
circumstances that gave rise to their existence,
procured their aggraodi1emcnt, prccipitotcd
them from their elevation, or effected their
final subycrsion.
Unhappily the annals Of every country that
has risen to emiucnec, develops such tissue
of fraud and violence. Such series of cruel
wars, bloody battles, trcasons and stratagems,
that we are almost inclined to regard history
MS a catalogue OF the crimes and outrages of
mankind towards each other, OF rather
the record OF the gradual progress and inn
provcmcut Of The human mind the origin,
the progress, and influence of arts, science,
literature and commerce Of the nations, Yet
they are subjects of interest To AN, In as much
as they furnish an neNhaustable fund of ration
al entertainment, and valuable information for
the really cumring aud dscoursye mind. On
this account, alone, every reader of history
ought TO observe in particular manner, the i'm.
portant event, which form an epoch OF time in
human affairs causing a lasting change IN the
condition Of mankind, and from which new
order of things appears to have originated
These events ought TO be observed with an uu.
preiudlccd mul The causes and consequent
ces examined William impartial and accurate
investigation. In this manner a wide Held viii
open itself TO the observation of the student
who cannot fail TO perceive, that men rs soon
As they began TO settle and multiply perceived
the necessity of uniting in civil societies, uscer
tanning divisions, aud securing possessions o
property, making laws for the regulation ant
suhordsnatiou OF society, and eventually ar
irving at regular foam of government
In the course Of this examination the atten
tive student cannot fail to observe that thes
governments established by the people, an,
ior the people, to promote the happiness au,
general welfare Of lhe people, soon after dc
generate into Nrrauy and oppression, Jules
the people are extremely jealous and watchu
OF their heaven born rights.
Historian. of ancient Times have given NO hi,
tory of such particulars as vas mentioned j.
the beginning OF ibis essay They filled thc
Yolumus with narratives of wars, battles, siege,
assassiuauons, usurpati0us aud massacres Hay
ingncEleeted To iuyesu.tc those important pa
teuIars in their histories, we c4u never hope I
collect tair accurate and interesting mstor
of the human mind, from the perusal of al
Gent authors, Il tbey diversified their Mi.
ings with de.mc4tion- OF commercial, scientid
and literary improvements, history would 3
far WORCESTERSHIRE. interesting ana delightful
The history Of thy word naturally d.vid,
itself into Two great periods, Chat whie
elapsed before THE Christian era, and IN.
which has elapsed since that event
The attention ct the reader OF history IS
be directed, in the hfst place., to those even
which took place before the Birth Of Jcs,
Christ.
The Hebrew or Jewish scriptures make ii
duration of ths world from the Creation, ii
the birth of Christ, 4a04 year For asl.r n