Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/82

 cumstances of the Actors themselves: And last of all, Who scrupulously avoids saying any Thing that might appear incredible to Posterity; but represents Things in such a manner, as a wise Man may believe they were transacted: And yet he has neglected all that Artful Eloquence which was before so much in fashion.

If these therefore be the chiefest Perfections of a just History, and if they can only be the Effects of a great Genius, and great Study, or both; at least, not of the last, without the first, we are next to enquire whether any of the Moderns have been able to attain to them: And then, if several may be found, which in none of these Excellencies seem to yield to the noblest of all the Ancient Histories, it will not be difficult to give an Answer to Sir William Temples Question; Whether (d) D'Avilas and Strada's Histories be beyond those of Herodotus and Livy? I shall name but two; The Memoirs of Philip Comines, and F. Paul's History of the Council of Trent.

Philip Comines ought here to be mentioned for many Reasons: For, besides that he particularly excels in those very Vertues which are so remarkable in Polybius, to whom Lipsius makes no Scruple