pointment; at the same time, however, this is a work of too much importance to be neglected, and we feel considerable curiosity to see the continuation of it.

ART. X. Tableau des Révolutions, &c.; i. e. a View of the Revolu tions in Europe, from the Subversion of the Roman Empire in the West to our own Times; preceded by an Introduction to History, and enriched with Maps, and Genealogical and Chronological Tables. By M. KoсH, Member of the Tribunate and of the Legion of Honour, and Correspondent of the Institute. 8vo. 3 Vols. Paris. 1807.

IT

T is only by repeated perusals of various relations, framed on different scales and penned with different views, that the historian becomes possessed even of the raw materials of the stores which he is desirous of amassing; and which only a mind free. from bias, gifted with discriminating powers, and exercising careful and patient examination, can subsequently enable him to con→ vert into real wealth. Were all historians and compilers unprejudiced and philosophical, doubtless the labour of excelling in this branch of knowlege would be shortened: but, since the fact is that they are seldom thus qualified, the student must oppose partiality and bias on one side to partiality and bias on another, and extract the truth from a number of testimonies. He must wade through the narratives of persons of various professions, and such as are subject to opposing influences,-of the divine, the lawyer, the statesman, and the philosopher, of the supporters and of the opponents of the government, of conformists and the sectaries,-if he would render himself master of the history of any particular period. The previous preparation and the labours of different kinds, which are necessary in order to realize such an attainment, we are not here required to discuss. An author who exhibits any important portion of history under a novel form, and renders it more attainable and impressive by accompanying it with new aids, were he only thus to induce the amateur to tread the ground afresh, would confer on him no slight obligation. To this praise M. Koch is undoubtedly intitled: but those who have been instructed by his former works will look for farther and higher services; and we can assure them that they will not be disappointed in their expectations.

Any disquisition on the importance of historical knowlege generally, or of that vast and interesting branch of it which is in this work treated in so masterly a manner, would here, we apprehend, be altogether misplaced. The testimony of the learned is unanimous on the subject; no one controverts the

doctrine;

doetrine; and it has been displayed even to nausea. We would only guard against one error relating to it, into which many fall, and it is that of considering national antiquities (on which great light is here thrown, though treated very briefly,) as merely curious: they are closely connected with, they materially affect and often eminently elucidate, those parts which are admitted on all hands to be of the utmost importance. If we would appreciate an individual, and pronounce on his character, we take him up from his earliest moments, contemplate his infantine treatment and the habits of his childhood, and carefully mark his youthful course:-in no other way can a correct and full insight be obtained into the character of a people.

It is asserted by the author, and it is too obvious to require proof or illustration, that without a knowlege of the several revolutions which, since the subversion of the Roman empire, have changed the political aspects of Europe, we cannot advantageously study our own history, nor be aware of the influence which the different states formed out of it have exercised on each other. Vicinage, and similarity of religion, language, and manners, have induced a close connection between several of these nations; which has been farther cemented by commercial intercourse, and various common interests. Some of them have made large conquests, and extended their laws, arts, and institutions far beyond their own original limits. It is the object of the present volumes to develope this reciprocal operation of states, and of the revolutions which they have undergone, together with the variations which they have caused in the system of Europe.

The history divides itself into eight periods, corresponding with the principal revolutions which have successively changed the political state of this quarter of the globe. At the head of each of these divisions, is given either a sketch of a grand revolution, or an account of the power which took the lead in the course of the period.-M. Koch informs us, and we see every reason for relying on his professions, that he faithfully follows the guides and authorities which he cites.

In an introduction, the author makes some general observations on history, and its subsidiary sciences, geography, genealogy, and chronology. It is truly said by him, that it is only by fixing strongly in the mind great epochs, that we are able to avoid confusion of ideas, and to trace the course of events. This has induced him to enrich his book with chronological tables, which state the dates of the revolutions, as well those that were more limited as the more general: but nothing will more augment the value of these volumes in the estimation of

studious

studious readers, than the genealogical tables of the principal sovereign houses that have occupied the thrones of Europe, since the fifth century. These tables exhibit at one view the order of succession, the commencement and close of each reign, the affinity between the sovereigns, and other particulars. Five maps, also, with the descriptions which accompany them, pointing out the topographical changes which the revolutions here treated have occasioned, afford very material assistance to the novice, and form a part of the work which highly enhances its utility. The first map exhibits Europe at the end of the fourth century; the Roman empire is there seen such as it was previously to the grand invasion of the barbarians; and the tribes who subverted it are ranged in the regions which they originally inhabited. The second presents Europe at the end of the fifth century; and here we behold the different states and kingdoms which the northern tribes founded. The third shews the empire of Charlemagne at the very acme of its grandeur; viz. at the close of the eighth and the commencement of the ninth century. The fourth brings under our view the changes which followed on its dismemberment, and represents Europe at the end of the same century. The fifth sketches it at the epoch of the German preponderance, about the middle of the eleventh century. An index, executed in a superior manner, terminates this most valuable performance.

Having apprized the reader of the contents of these volunes, we shall now lay before him some specimens of their execution.

Among the author's observations on history in general, we meet with the following; which, though not novel, we must insert as instances of neat and distinct statement:

They who devote themselves to the study of politics, or who may be called to conduct public affairs, will learn from history the springs of government, their vices and excellencies, their force and weakness. "Inde tibi tuaque reipublicæ quod imitare cupias, inde fadum incaptu, fadum exitu quod vites" (Livy.) The man of letters and the philosopher will there discern the progress of the human mind, its illusions and wanderings, the relation of causes and effects, the origin of the arts and sciences, their vicissitudes and their influence on society, and at the same time the horrors which are occasioned by ignorance, superstition, and tyranny.

Finally, it is history which assists, far beyond the power of precept, to rescue us from the delusions of self-love and natural partialities. He who has never known any other than his native country easily persuades himself that the government, the manners, and the prevailing notions of the spot which he inhabits are alone reasonable; and, indulging this prejudice, he regards with contempt all other nations.

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nations. It is only by a connected study of history, and by familiarizing himself with the institutions, usages, and habits of different ages and countries, that he will learn to esteem wisdom and virtue, and to search for merit wherever it is to be found. We thus discern that, in those revolutions which have changed the political face of the globe, nothing new has occurred; and we arm ourselves against that blind astonishment which is ever the lot of ignorance and imbecility of mind.'

Insisting on the necessity of impartiality in an historian, the author remarks that we must be on our guard against writers who are carried away by national, sectarian, or professional prejudices. Though this observation cannot be controverted, still those readers, who have made history a study, perceive how much she is indebted to the partialities and predilections of authors: since these feelings operate as stimuli to explore tracts and corners that would otherwise be carelessly examined; and consequently many important incidents would be overlooked, and the example of numerous very deserving characters be lost to posterity. Thus, in our own country, many proceedings in courts of justice, many traits of judges. and prelates, which not only illustrate individual character, but throw light on the manners of the age, are to be found only in the histories of sectaries. It is impossible even to approximate to the acquisition of just notions respecting the annals of either England or France, without perusing and comparing the principal historians of both countries; in doing which we have the advantage of seeing objects from new points of view, and under different relations.

M. KOCH asserts that the geography of the middle age lies to this day a waste calling for culture. We have no geogra phical work that gives just ideas of the new order of things which the northern nations introduced into Europe, after the subversion of the Roman empire in the fifth century: French and German literati have cleared some parts of it, but no European nation can as yet plume itself on having attempted to consummate this undertaking.' It was not, he observes, till the middle of the last century, that Europe could boast of fine maps: but the war of the French revolution induced several scientific geographers in France and elsewhere, to construct maps of those countries which were the theatre of hostilities; and many of them are chefs-d'œuvre.

The order of succession which has prevailed in modern Eu rope has rendered indispensible the study of genealogy. On this subject the author states that, whatever vanity, seconded by flattery, may pretend, the truth is that few families who have filled European thrones, or who hold an eminent rank in

Europe,

Europe, can carry their genealogy farther back than the twelfth century except the Capetian house, which may certainly be traced to the ninth. The houses of Savoy, Lorraine, Brunswick, England, and Baden, go back to the eleventh century; and all the others are posterior.' If the author has in view a descent in the male line, the kings of England can go back but a very short way indeed: but if he extends it to the female, our historian Henry traces the descent of the reigning monarch to Cerdic, who invaded Britain before the close of the sixth cen tury. As the ground of his opinion, the author states the fact of the most illustrious families having no surnames previously to the twelfth century. Even the great lords, and of course simple gentlemen, expressed only their names of baptism, adding to them sometimes those of the dignities which they held. From that period, the practice was to insert in deeds and instruments, in addition to the names of baptism and of the dignity of the person, that of the place of residence; and two centuries were required to render surnames general in Europe. We cannot see that surnames are necessary in order to trace genealogies. Pedigrees have been objects of attention in all civilized countries, and even among barbarians: but surnames are modern inventions, and even at this day are by no means universal. The persons who stood the highest in rank among our fellow subjects, the Welsh, and who are so profound in pedigrees, had no surnames till some time subsequently to the act of incorporation of Henry VIII.; simple gentlemen not till much later; and persons of the middle class not till the last century. Yet a worthy gentleman from that country was lately elevated to the house of Peers, who, we have b en informed, is able to make out his descent from the kings of South Wales.

While treating on the subject of chronology, M. KocH states, in a very narrow compass, the substance of all that is material in what has been written with regard to the age of the world, and the introduction of the vulgar æra. From its suitableness to the rest of the work, and from the condensing powers of the author's pen, we could have wished the sketch of antient history to have been on a larger scale: but the multum in parvo applies to this, as to all other parts of these substan

tial volumes.

The following is the writer's account of the Franks, the successful invaders of Gaul in the fifth century:

The Franks were an association which the German tribes, situated between the Rhine, the Maine, the Weser, and the Elbe, had formed among themselves, for the maintenance of their liberty and independence against the Romans. Tacitus, who wrote early APP. REV. Vol. LVI.

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