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HArangues hold the Third place in Composition of History; and if it belongs only to an Orator to be an Histo∣rian, as all the Masters say after Cicero, 'tis here chiefly the Orator-Historian ought to display his Rhe∣torick. I know all the World is not of his Opinion, but what is Raymund Lully, and others that
imbrace the contrary, but Pigmies opposed to this Achilles of the long Robe. Diodorus of Sicily produced against Harangues, condemns but those that intangle and dismember a Narration, put things out of their Method by their unreason∣able length, or number yet more tedious. And as this Greek, that ought to love Wine as all other Greeks do, would not have burnt down all the Vineyards to free the Ground from some bad Vines; so he never design'd to cleanse History from some ill Harangues, all sorts should be taken from her.
'Tis opposed to this, That the Law which permits nothing false in History, is violated by these Ha∣rangues, that are all false, and framed by the Historian: That Probability alledged to maintain them, is an Usurpation upon the Poets, and she shamefully abused. What is there of Scythian or Barbarous; nay, what is there not of Delicate and Polite in the Harangues the Ambassador of
Scythia made by the Favour of Quin∣tus Curtius to the Great Alexander. And who can believe Galgacus, that Tacitus places at the head of a People separated from others, and as it were out of the World, Harangued with such Figures and Expressions as he lends him. The same may be said of his Arminius and Civilis, which he makes speak as if Disciples to Longinus and Hermogenes. In like manner, the Romans, covered with the Dust of their Cabins, and smelling of Garlick, as says a Modern Author, are produced by Titus Livius with as much fineness of Wit, and Grace of Language, as was used a long time after by the most Curious in the Court of Augustus.