Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Gesta Stephani, Regis Anglorum, Et Ducis Normannorum: Incerto Auctore, Sed Contemporaneo, Olim, Ex Vetere Codice M. S. Episcopatus Laudunensis Ab Andrea Duchesne Edita, Denuo Recensuit, Notisque Illustravit
But History di?'ers as much from a Chronicle, as a finished picture from detached sketches of groups, and figures: and yet a thorough know ledge of each part is necessary to make a per feet whole. Our historical writers have unfor tunately been signally deficient in this. Those who have had the most perfect knowledge of the details, have failed entirely in the ensemble;' those, on the other hand, who have had the ge nius to conceive, and plan great historical works, have seemed to sacrifice facts to theories, -they have philosophized rather than narrated, - nay, more, they have too often entered on their la bours in the spirit of political or religious par tizans, -have not scrupled to pervert truth to bear out a theory, to disparage virtue in an ad versary - to gloss over crime to screen their friends from disgrace. Thus it is that Brady, Tyrrell, Carte, and authors of that school, are referred to, but not read; Hume, Lingard, Lord Lyttelton are read, but cannot be relied on. The work of Henry, valuable as it is, is an Encyclo paedia of historical antiquities, rather than a His tory. The author who has approached nearest to perfection - who has invested History with all the charm of Romance, and given to Truth the most attractive garb of Fiction, is Sharon Turner. And why is this? Because he has used to good purpose the Chronicles of the contemporary writers. He has.imbued himself fully with the Spirit of the times. TO him these were not mere dry bones, the skeletons of History, but were in stinct with animation, living, breathing, acting.
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