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“History a proper object of Female Pursuit. (EXTRACTED FROM THE WRITINGS OF HUME.),” The Lady’s Magazine and Musical Repository (February 1801), pp. 91–5.
David Hume
Hume’s short essay “Of the Study of History” was first published in the Essays, Moral and Political of 1741. It was included in every edition of the Essays and Treatises on Several Subjects through 1760, after which it was withdrawn, perhaps because writing his own history had led Hume to rethink what he had speculatively written on the topic earlier in life. (For a modern reprinting of it, see Essays, pp. 563–8.) Nonetheless, it is interesting to find the essay reprinted in a periodical directed at early America’s female readers. The Lady’s Magazine and Musical Repository was a short-lived monthly (published in New York by G. & R. Waite and B. Bell), with three volumes appearing between January 1801 and June 1802. For a discussion of other American reprintings of this and other of Hume’s essays, see “Introduction to Part I.”
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History a proper object of Female Pursuit.
(EXTRACTED FROM THE WRITINGS OF HUME.)
THERE is nothing I would recommend more earnestly to my female readers than the study of history, as an occupation, of all others, the best suited both to their sex and education; much more instructive than their ordinary books of amusement, and more entertaining than those serious compositions which are usually to be found in their closets.
Among other important truths, which they may learn from history, they may be informed of two particulars, the knowledge of which may contribute very much to their quiet and repose. That our sex, as well as their’s are far from being such perfect creatures as they are apt to imagine; and, That love is not the only passions that governs the male world, but is often overcome by avarice, ambition, vanity, and a thousand other passions. Whether they be the false representations of mankind in those two particulars, that endears romances and novels so much to the fair sex, I know not; but must confess, I am sorry to see them have such an aversion to matter of fact, and such an appetite for falsehood. I remember, I was once desired by a young beauty, for whom I had some passion, to send her some novels and romances for her amusement in the country; but was not so ungenerous as to take the advantage which such a course of reading might have given me, being resolved not to make use of poisoned arms against her. I therefore sent her Plutarch’s Lives, assuring her at the same time, that there was not a word of truth in them from beginning to end. She perused them very attentively, till she came to the lives of Alexander and Caesar, whose names she had heard by accident; and then returned me the book, with many reproaches for deceiving her.
I may indeed be told, that the fair sex have no such aversion to history as I have represented, provided it be secret history, and contain some memorable transaction proper to excite their curiosity. But as I do not find that truth, which is the basis of history, is at all regarded in those anecdotes, I cannot admit of this as a proof of their passion for that study. However this may be, I see not why the same curiosity might not receive a more proper direction, and leave them to desire accounts of those who lived in past ages, as well as of their contemporaries. What is it to Cleora, whether Fulvia entertains a secret commerce of love with Philander or not? Has she not equal reason to be pleased, when she is informed (what is whispered about among historians) that Cato’s sister had an intrigue with Caesar, and palmed her son, Marcus Brutus, upon her husband for his own, though, in reality, he was her gallant’s? And are not the loves of Messalina or Julia, as proper subjects of discourse as any intrigue that this city has produced of late years?
But I know not whence it comes, that I have been thus seduced into a kind of raillery against the ladies; unless, perhaps it proceeds from the same cause that makes the person who is the favorite of the company be often the object of their good-natured jests and pleasantries. We are pleased to address ourselves after any manner to a person that is agreeable to us; and, at the same time presume, that nothing will be taken amiss by one who is secure of the good opinion and affection of every one present. I shall now proceed to handle my subject more seriously, and shall point out many advantages that flow from the study of history; and shew how well suited it is to every one, but particularly to those who are debarred the severer studies, by the tenderness of their complexion, and the weakness of their education. The advantages found in history seem to be of three kinds, as it amuses the fancy, as it improves the understanding, and as it strengthens virtue.
In reality, what more agreeable entertainment to the mind, than to be transported into the remotest ages of the world, and to observe human society, in its infancy, making the first faint essays towards the arts and sciences: to see the policy of government, and the civility of conversation, refining by degrees, and every thing that is ornamental to human life advancing towards its perfection: to remark the rise, progress, declensions, and final extinction of the most flourishing empires: the virtues which contributed to their greatness, and the vices which drew on their ruin. In short, to see all the human race, from the beginning of time, pass, as it were, in review before us; appearing in their true colours, without any of those disguises, which, during their life time, so much perplexed the judgments of the beholders. What spectacle can be imagined so magnificent, so various, so interesting? What amusements, either of the senses or imagination, can be compared with it? Shall those trifling pastimes, which engross so much of our time, be preferred as more satisfactory, and more fit to engage our attention? How perverse must that taste be, which is capable of so wrong a choice of pleasures?
But history is a most improving part of knowledge, as well as an agreeable amusement; and, indeed, a great part of what we commonly call erudition, and value so highly, is nothing but an acquaintance with historical facts. An extensive knowledge of this kind belongs to men of letters; but I must think it an unpardonable ignorance in persons, of whatever sex or condition, not to be acquainted with the history of their own country, along with the histories of ancient Greece and Rome. A woman may behave herself with good manners, and have even some vivacity in her turn of wit; but where her mind is so unfurnished, it is impossible her conversation can afford any entertainment to men of sense and reflection.
I must add, that history is not only a valuable part of knowledge, but opens the door to many other parts of knowledge, and affords materials to most of the sciences. And, indeed, if we consider the shortness of human life, and our limited knowledge even of what passes in our own time, we must be sensible, that we should be for ever children in understanding, was it not for this invention, which extends our experience to all past ages, and to the most distance nations; making them contribute as much to our improvement in wisdom, as if they had actually lain under our own observation. A man acquainted with history, may, in some respect, be said to have lived from the beginning of the world, and to have been making continual additions to his stock of knowledge in every century.
There is also an advantage in that knowledge which is acquired by history, above what is learned by the practice of the world, — that it brings us acquainted with human affairs, without diminishing in the least, the most delicate sentiments of virtue. And, to tell the truth, I know not any study or occupation so unexceptionable as history in this particular. Poets can paint virtue in the most charming colours; but as they address themselves entirely to the passions, they often become advocates for vice. Even philosophers are apt to bewilder themselves in the subtilty of their speculations; and we have seen some go so far as to deny the reality of all moral distinctions. But I think it a remark worthy the attention of the speculative reader, that the historians have been, almost without exception, the true friends of virtue, and have always represented [it] in its proper colours, however they may have erred in their judgments of particular persons. Machiavel himself discovers a true sentiment of virtue in his history of Florence. When he talks as a politician, in his general reasonings, he considers poisoning, assassination, and perjury, as lawful acts of power; but when he speaks as an historian, in his particular narrations, he shews so keen an indignation against vice, and so warm an approbation of virtue, in so many passages, that I could not forbear applying to him that remark of Horace, — That if you chance away nature, though with ever so great indignity, she will always return upon you. Nor is this combination of historians, in favour of virtue, at all difficult to be accounted for. When a man of business enters into life and action, he is more apt to consider the characters of men as they have relation to his interest, than as they stand in themselves: and has his judgment warped on every occasion by the violence of his passion. When a philosopher contemplates characters and manners in his closet, the general abstract view of the objects leaves the mind so cold and unmoved, that the sentiments of nature have no room to play, and he scarce feels the difference betwixt vice and virtue. History keeps in a just medium betwixt these extremes, and places the objects in their true point of view. The writers of history, as well as the readers, are sufficiently interested in the characters and events to have a lively sentiment of blame or praise; and at the same time, have no particular interest or concern to prevent their judgment.
D. HUME.