But to cheer the historiographer, he shows, that a public library is only necessary to be consulted; it is in our private closet where should be found those few writers who direct us to their rivals, without jealousy, and mark, in the vast career of time, those who are worthy to instruct posterity. His calculation proceeds on this plan, that _six hours_ a day, and the term of _ten years_, are sufficient to pass over, with utility, the immense field of history.
He calculates an alarming extent of historical ground.
For a knowledge of Sacred History he gives 3 months. Ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria, modern Assyria} or Persia } 1 do. Greek History 6 do. Roman History by the moderns 7 do. Roman History by the original writers 6 do. Ecclesiastical History, general and particular 30 do. Modern History 24 do. To this may be added for recurrences and re-perusals 48 do. ____ The total will amount to 10½ years.
Thus, in _ten years and a half_, a student in history has obtained an universal knowledge, and this on a plan which permits as much leisure as every student would choose to indulge.
As a specimen of Du Fresnoy's calculations, take that of Sacred History.
For reading Père Calmet's learned dissertations in the} order he points out } 12 days For Père Calmet's History, in 2 vols. 4to (now in 4) 12 For Prideaux's History 10 For Josephus 12 For Basnage's History of the Jews 20 ---- In all 66 days.
He allows, however, ninety days for obtaining a sufficient knowledge of Sacred History.
In reading this sketch, we are scarcely surprised at the erudition of a Gibbon; but having admired that erudition, we perceive the necessity of such a plan, if we would not learn what we have afterwards to unlearn.
A plan like the present, even in a mind which should feel itself incapable of the exertion, will not be regarded without that reverence we feel for genius animating such industry. This scheme of study, though it may never be rigidly pursued, will be found excellent. Ten years' labour of happy diligence may render a student capable of consigning to posterity a history as universal in its topics, as that of the historian who led to this investigation.
Tantus amor florum, et generandi gloria mellis. _Georg._ Lib. iv. v. 204.