The compleat courtier: or, The morals of the famous historian Cornelius Tacitus concerning flattery, &c. In above one hundred essays. Paraphras'd and illustrated with useful observations by the Sieur Amelo de la Houssaie and M. D'Ablancourt. Done out of French.

ESSAY XXI.

I Think it to be the chiefest Duty of a Historian, to take care that Vertue be not smother'd, and to de∣ter Men from evil Actions and Say∣ings, for fear of being branded with Ignomy to Posterity.

In my Opinion, says D'Ablancourt, 'tis the Duty of a Historian, to give to Vertue the recompence which she deserves, and to beget an abhorrency of Vice, by awing Men with the shame of Eternal Infamy.

It is the custom of Flatterers to extol Vice, while by a wrong impression of Interpretation, they make it pass for currant Vertue; and to cry down as Crimes, the Vertues of such as are hated by those Princes whom they Flatter. Of all People therefore in the World are Flatterers the most unfit, and improper to undertake a History, which ought to have Truth for its Guide, and for its Object the Instruction of Posterity. And here we must not omit to give that wor∣thily

deserved Character of Monsieur Me∣zeray, to be the only Modern Author, that has honour'd France with a Sincere Story, and left in his Writings the lively Image of its ancient Liberty.