Firenze, 1827. A valuable work, which has often been reprinted.-Enc. Am. (See third part.) Botta, 1766. 4. GERMAN. Centuria Magdeburgenses, 1540. Under this title a regular and copious history of the Church, from the primitive ages to the Reformation, was compiled. Mosheim, or his translator, calls this an immortal work; and Eichhorn speaks of it in strong terms of admiration for the boldness of the enterprise, the laboriousness of the execution, the spirit with which it cleared away a mass of fable, and placed ecclesiastical history on an authentic basis.-Hallam. Basil, 1559, folio, $3 00. Puffendorf, 1632. He wrote a History of Sweden, from the campaign of Gustavus Adolphus in Germany to the abdication of Queen Christine; and the History of Charles Gustavus; and, lastly, an Introduction to the History of the Principal Kingdoms and States of Europe (translation, 8vo, $1 00, London, 1740). Puffendorf is a host in himself; no historical collection can be complete without his works.-Dibdin. Mosheim, 1694. (See third part.) Schlegel, 1721. (See third part.) Pfeffel, 1726. His principal works are, "Abrégé Chronologique de l'Histoire et du Droit publique d'Allemagne;" Recherches Historiques, concernant les Droits du Pape sur la ville et l'Etat d'Avignon; Etat de la Pologne.-Enc. Am. All his works are of great ability and skill, and of value to the historian. Adelung, 1732. His work on the History of the Civilization of Mankind is a production of considerable merit.-Penny Cyc. 8vo, $200. Herder, 1744. He strove to discover a point of union where science, religion, history, poetry, and art should meet; and in order to take one comprehensive view of all the tendencies of man, he made himself acquainted with the literature of a variety of countries, Oriental as well as European, ancient as well as modern. His "Philosophy of the History of Man" has been translated.-Penny Cyc. Herder, Philosophie und Geschichte, 14 vols. in 7, $6 00, 1827. Tenneman, 1748. A Manual of the History of Philosophy (translated by Rev. A. Johnson). A work which marks out all the leading epochs in philosophy, and gives minute chronological information concerning them, with biographical notices of the founders and followers of the principal schools, and ample texts of their works.-Hayward. 8vo, $4 00. Müller, 1752. To the study of the ancient classics he is indebted for that love of liberty and moral grandeur, that clearness and method of thought, elegance and energy of expression, which early distinguished him. His great work, "Geschichte Schweitzerischer Eidgenossenschaft," is distinguished for accuracy of research, profound and broad views, and, although minute, is not dry.-Enc. Am. His Universal History, see below (third part). Eichhorn, 1752. He has composed several valuable works, of which, among others, his Ancient History of the Greeks and Romans, consisting entirely of extracts from the original historians, is in high repute (Antiqua Historia, ex ipsis veterum Script. Roman. Narrationibus contexta, Goett., 1811, 2 vols.). He afterward published a history of the last three centuries, considered in a general view, and in relation to the changes that have occurred in the particular countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America; in 1818 he brought it down to the latest period.-Enc. Am. Schiller, 1759. He added greatly to his reputation by his "History of the Revolt of the Netherlands," but his "Thirty Years' War" is deemed his chef d'œuvre in history.-Penny Cyc. (See third part.)" Heeren, 1760. Bouterweck, 1766. He has gained a permanent reputation by his "History of Modern Poetry and Eloquence," published 1801-1821, a work which, though unequal in some respects, also partial and superficial, is an excellent collection of notices and original observations, and may be considered one of the best works of the kind in German literature.-Enc. Am. Wachler, 1767. Some of his works have great merit, though the writer may sometimes fall into indistinct generalities. "Manual of the History of Literature" (4 vols., 1822-24). History of Historical Inquiry and Art since the Revival of Letters in Europe, (1812-20). Rotteck, 1775. Rotteck is distinguished from all other German historians by the circumstance that his works, in addition to deep research and critical acuteness, display a civic spirit, if we may call it so. Though born in a country where civil liberty was so little understood at the time of his education, he has, nevertheless, learned to understand it, and to trace its development in history. His chief work is his Universal History, which has lately been translated.-Enc. Am. Schlosser, 1776. His works, "Universal History," "General View of the History and Civilization of the Ancients," and his history of the 18th century, display extensive acquaintance with the subjects, and much vigour and independence of thought.— Enc. Am. (See third part.) Niebuhr, 1776. Raumer, 1781. He is considered as Heeren's rival by his "History of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries," translated from the German, 2 vols. 8vo, $3 50. History of Queen Elizabeth, and Mary Queen of Scots, 8vo, $2 25. History of Frederic II. and his Times, 8vo, $2 25. The last two works are from original documents in the British Museum and state paper office. Menzel, 1784. His works, though not equal in deep research to those of many contemporary writers of Germany, are valuable for their descriptive merit, particularly his History of the Germans, Breslau, 1815-23, 8 vols. 4to.-Enc. Am. History of German Literature, translated, 4 vols. 8vo, $9 00. Neander, 1789. (See third part.) Busch. He wrote in the style of a chronicler with great impartiality and research, but in rather a dry manner, and in an imperfect style, his "Outline of the History of the most Remarkable Events of Modern Times since 1440."-Penny Cyc. Wachsmuth. What other writers have done in subjecting the complicated events of modern times to a criticism, searching and minute as to details, and rich in results and general principles, the same patient investigation has been carried by Wachsmuth to the study of antiquity.. In his hands it has become a rich and instructive study, peculiarly adapted to form the youthful mind to habits of careful investigation and accurate appreciation of evidence.-Penny Cyc. Historical Antiquities of the Greeks, translated, 2 vols. 8vo, $8 00, Oxford. (See third part.) Boëckh. V. HISTORICAL MEMOIRS. Xenophon's Anabasis, 450 B.C. Xenophon describes his retreat, and at the same time the whole expedition of the younger Cyrus, in his Anabasis. His style in general, and particularly in this work, is a model of elegant simplicity.-Enc. Am. A good translation by Spelman, London, 1742. Cæsar's Commentaries, 100 B.C. The Commentaries, written in a plain, perspicuous style, entirely free from all affectation, place him in the same class with Xenophon, and those few individuals who have suc cessfully united the pursuit of letters and philosophy with the business of active life.-Penny Enc. Best edition, Oudendorp, Leyden, 1757, 4to; translated by Duncan, 8vo, $1 75, London, 1832. Brantome, 1157. His Memoirs are a living picture of his age: for Brantome was personally acquainted with all the great characters of the times, and an eyewitness of all the important events which then took place, and in some was an actor. He places us in the middle of that century when expiring chivalry was contending with the forming, and, as yet, unsettled manners of later times.-Enc. Am. 8 vols. 8vo, Paris, 1822-24. Comines, 1445. His Memoirs contain the history of his own time, from 1464 to 1498. The great value of them consists in his frankness and sincerity. He is a matter-of-fact historian; he paints men and politics such as he found them to be, with all their selfishness, craft, and evil doings, which he relates with great imperturbability.-Penny Cyc. The Memoirs translated by Danet, $2 75, London. Las Casas, 1474. His short "Narrative of the Destruction of the Indies" is justly celebrated. In it he gives a frightful account of the acts of oppression and barbarity committed by the conquerors.-Penny Cyc. Margaret of Valois, 1492. She related the history of her youth with much, although somewhat artificial elegance, and feminine adroitness, but, at the same time, evident good nature.-Enc. Am. Montluc, 1500. His Memoirs are deserving of being read, not only for their relation of events, but for a lively style, and occasionally for good sense and acute thinking.-Penny Cyc. Du Bellay, 1513. His Memoirs, relating to the period from 1513 to 1516 (Lambert, Paris, 1753, 7 vols.), are distinguished for vigorous delineation and the national feeling which they display.— Enc. Am. (See third part.) Sully, 1559. 1 |