6. SECOND CRITERION.-"Before receiving a history, ascertain secondly, its evidence, both with respect to the possibility of the facts related; and with respect to the documents offered by the historian, in proof of these facts."

7. Hence, First, if the facts show a metaphysical impossibility, they must be rejected, according to Rule 2, No. 9, Part 1.

8. Second, if the facts show a physical impossibility, and yet are supported by the authority of the writer, and the evidence of documents, then Rule 3, No. 14, Part 1, must be applied.

9. Third, the evidence of the documents offered by the historian, in support of his narration, is tested by referring to the sources from which he quotes, and derives his information.

10. It may happen that a certain history has never been edited; or only by few; and among a certain class of people; and a long time ago; in

(6.) What is the second criterion for the reader of history? (7.) What must the reader of history do, when the facts related show absolute impossibility?

(8.) What must he do, when the facts show physical impossibility?

(9.) How may the evidence adduced by the historian, be tested?

(10.) What is the criterion for inedited or private histories?

this case, to the two preceding, is to be added

the following:

THIRD CRITERION.-" Before receiving said history, ascertain its purity and integrity.

11.

Purity of history means, that the sense of the original has not been substantially altered.

12.

Integrity of history means, that nothing has been added to, or detracted from the original; but that it has been kept whole and entire.

13. The purity and integrity of a history is ascertained, by inquiring whether those who had it in their possession were capable of altering or mutilating it; whether they had any motive for so doing; and whether they could escape detection.

SECTION II.

CRITERIONS OF CRITICISM CONCERNING COMPENDIUMS OR COPIES OF ORIGINAL HISTORIES.

1. A compendium, as well as a copy of history, "is the repetition of an original history, in a different form, by the same, or a different author."

(11.) What does purity of history mean?

(12.) What does integrity of history signify?

(13.) How is purity and integrity of history ascertained? (1.) What is a compendium, or copy, of history?

2. If the author is different, he, as well as the reader, will use the criterions just given in the second part.

SECTION III.

CRITERIONS OF CRITICISM

SIONS.

CONCERNING VER

1. The version of a history, "is its translation from its original language into another."

2. Since the object and duty of a translator are not to write a history; but simply, to translate faithfully into another language one already written; therefore, the criterions that must guide a writer of history, are not needed by the translator.

3. The reader, however, in regard to versions, must use an additional criterion; and that, before using the other criterions indicated in the second part. Before accepting a history, which is a translation from another, originally written in

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(2.) What are the criterions to be used, in judging of compendiums, or copies?

(1.) What is a version?

(2.) Are the foregoing criterions of history to be observed, by a translator also?

(3.) With respect to versions, must the reader use any extra criterion?

another language; ascertain the competency and veracity of the translator."

4. The competency of a translator is ascertained by inquiring into his knowledge of the language, in which the original history was written; and by comparing his translation with the same. The veracity of a translator may be established by using Rules 4th and 5th, under Nos. 25th and 26th, of the first part of criterions.

5. And here end the rules and criterions of history, one of the most important branches of human literature; and yet the one, perhaps, more imperfectly taught than any other. In closing, we cannot forbear remarking, that the criterions of history, just expounded, are founded on sound reason, and are admitted by philosophers generally. Now the question arises: "If these criterions were applied to the countless number of histories which have appeared in the world, how many would stand the test ?"

(4.) How may the competency of a translator be ascertained? How can his veracity be established?

(5.) Are the criterions of history just given, founded on reason, and admitted by philosophers? What query does hence naturally arise?

ARTICLE IV.

OF BIOGRAPHY: ITS DEFINITION, OBJECT, QUALITIES, RULES, AND PRAXIS.

1. "A narrative which comprises a series of events descriptive of the life of an individual, is termed a Biography."

2. Hence it appears, that biography is a history in a particular sense; or, in other words, is a branch of the genus history.

3. To biography belong, as parts, Ethopæia and Prosopography. The former is a description of the habits and character of a person; the latter is a description of his body, and more particularly of the features of his face.

4. When ethopæia and prosopography form the main subject of composition, they belong either to descriptions, or to historical narrations. When they are briefly condensed, they appertain to rhetorical figures; of which we shall treat in the third book on oratory.

(1.) What is a biography?

(2.) What branch of history is biography? (3.) What are the parts of biography?

What is ethopæia, and prosopography?

(4.) When are ethopæia and prosopography descriptions, and when rhetorical figures?