From: The Dial, Vol. III, No. II (Oct. 1842)
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THIS work is not exactly what it professes to be. It is rather a series of lectures on the method in which modern history is to be studied. It directs the student to the most important subjects in the modern history of Europe and America, and points out to him the sources in the English and French languages, where he is to seek information. It is, in short, a guidebook of modern history, and as such of great value. Mr. Smyth gives a running commentary on the works also to which he refers. His criticisms are always valuable. He is above the general cant of criticism, which judges a man and his work by the hair balance of the critic’s own coterie.
The judgment he passes on the three great English writers, Hume, Gibbon, and Robertson, appears just and impartial. His estimate of Gibbon is manly and just, and well worthy the attention of the student of history.—Vol. I. p. 82, sqq. Vol. II. p. 421, et al. It is a word in season to caution youth against the dangerous influence of that dazzling genius. Mr. Smyth refers to the most celebrated sources; appears familiar with most of the French and English writers; but never mentions the German laborers in the historical field. The omission of their rich and beautiful works in this department we regard as the most serious defect of the “Lectures.”
The sentiments and opinions of the author must commend him, we think, to every friend pf man. It is seldom we have risen from a book with so high a sense of moral approbation of its author. He is always on the side of Justice, Freedom, and Truth. The unobtrusive spirit of Religion gives a charm to his pages. Among the portions of the work which have struck us as most ably treated, are the Laws of the Barbarians, Lecture II; The Dark Ages, Lect. IV; Charles the First, and the Events that followed his Time, Lect. XV-XVII; The Revolution, Lect. XX; Prussia and Maria Theresa, Lect. XXIX; and the American War, Lect. XXXI-XXXVI.
We will only add, that the work is furnished with a list of books on European History, and another, by Mr. Sparks, on American History. A brief chronological table is conveniently put at the end of Vol. II.
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