Curiosities of Literature by L. D'Israeli (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ...species of history.--The only work which D'Israeli cites as public history is an anonymous tract, which according to his own imperfect definition is inferior secret history The only work which he cites as secret history is the Life of Clarendon--which was published before D'Israeli was born, and may be met with in every well-chosen library in the British Islands. So much for the secret history of the Restoration. It must excite astonishment that such errors and in-consistencies should be committed by an author who, in the same article, boasts of experience in literary researches--and sneers at popular historians, theoreti-cal writers of history, superficial readers, imperfect comprehension, etc.--" The Philosopher," says D'Israeli, " May Well Abhor All Intercourse With Wits "--and, in truth, I am almost weary of the urio5tfe of Ettevaturc. # We have, in this instance, a pretended illus-11 Ibid. i. 314. 12 Ibid. i. 357-8. tration which occupies twice the space of the text; and from which we learn that the facts of the veritable Illustrator are only to be met by ideas and surmises and conjectures. The assertion that Monk presented Charles with an obnoxious list of Privy Councillors drawn up by his wife, I had termed a fiction. Mr. D'Israeli, by way of defence, cites Granger as one who had the fiction before him. Now, Granger only says, " She is supposed to have recommended," etc.13 The reference is in other respects unfortunate--for he also says, " As she was a thorough royalist, it is probable that she had no inconsiderable share in the Restoration."14 I shall now enliven my note by an extract from the pamphlet: " The particulars which I have given," says Mr. D'Israeli, " would alone satisfy me that I drew from an authentic source." I...