The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-28
C|bb0N
Subject Of Prof. Aaskins' Lee
turs Before Historical Society.

Prof. Charles II. Haskins, Phi. d. OF
Harvard University, lectured before
small number OF the members OF the
Rhode Island Historical society at the
cabinet on Waterman street last evening.
the subject being "Gibbon, the English
Historian" President George I. Paine
presided at the meeting
The lecture was n critical analysis of
the work OF Gibbon and this was prefaced
by a statement of the htness OF Gibbon
to become a historian and OF the prepara-
ton he made. The early education OF
Gibbon, his year and A half at Oxford
and his early reading, was carefully de-
tailed, and because OF physical ina
bility 20 take part in the usual sports ana
recreation of the boys ne devoted him.
self TO reading, taking up historical
works He was Is when he entered OK
ford and after a year and a half he went
to Lucerne, Switzerland, where he re-
mained for Ave years.
Because of his residence in this coun-
try, where he specially improved him.
self in his historical studies, his mind be-
came broadened and he tccame what
might be termed Eur 1reln In general
character. His education was along sys-
tematic lines and with his constant as
sociation with European people he had
fitted himself for the work that he under
took but It was not until his 9th year
that he undertook the italian Journey
that had determined his writing OF the
Decline and Fall OF the Roman Empire.
He had established himself 'sohdly and
he had studied historical geography and
though ne attempted the history OF sew
eral persons and countries he abandoned
these and ne began in 1884 the writing
OF his great work.
1t required somewhat more than %
years for him to complete the work, but
meantime he held commission as
militia officer and studied the ancient
and modern tactics. and he was MEM
Der Of parliment for several years, coin
cident with his writing.
Gibbons writings cover period OF II
centuries. and he brought the history up
from the time OF soldity and peace OF
the Roman empire 10 the time OF It's
downfall. In general way the history
partook OF the nature OF history of
Europe because OF the necessity OF fol-
lowing the Roman empire and Its
changes. Gibbons history IN the first
three volumes covered three centuries
and this was remarkable for It's fullness
The next three volumes covered II CEN
turies, making the history what might
be termed a sketch. II was not unifirm
with the first three works.
In comparison with the works or other
historians there was more than ordinary
fulness anu It's character established It
was not n work to be undertaken lightly
Glbbon, by his research was his own
| duarryman and architect. He had few
writer's on whom he could relic and ne
| followed out the course OF his own In
vestigations. His critical skill may be
observed He was in the reviewing
| stand in all his writings and he realized
| the need OF unity. His view was, az a
| whole, narrow and external. and he was
| n monotonous writer In a sense for II was
| evident he liked quiet, we'll ordered
| times His was the age Of peace and he
| lacked both sympathy and understanding
| For instance, his five causes for the
growth OF Christianity are known 10 be
| effects rather than causes. But no per-
| formed a remarkable service in that he
! cleared away n great deal OF rubbish
| from Christianity. His work is not ex-
| ceeded for what IL purports to he, an ex-
ternal history OF the last OF the Roman
| empire. The influence OF Gibbon Is seen
| I'm tho writings OF others who have never
sought 10 conflict with his history and
| have preceded his history. His style
! founded no school OF historians. for its
classical character discouraged those who
might have undertaken similar work and
| It's perfection may be learned by It's in
| 1uence
When the lecture had been concluded
the society rendered a vote OF thanks 10
| Prof. Haskins.