The Memoirs of Philip De Commines, Lord of Argenton

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Philip DE commines has been called the Father Of Modern History. His Memoirs, says Mr. Hallam, almost make an epoch in historical literature. He is the first modern writer who in any degree has displayed sagacity in reasoning on the characters of men and the consequences of their actions, or who has been able to generalise his observations by comparison and reflection. This ability to discuss motives as well as events renders him far superior to Fr'oissart, who, on the other hand, greatly exceeds him in picturesqueness of style and fertility of invention. Froissart merely described notable occurrences; Commines delineated great men. The one, says Sir James Stephen, had contemplated the strife of kings and kingdoms as a spectator of the Isthmian Games may have gazed at that heart-stirring spectacle. The other had watched the schemes of statesmen and the conflict of nations, with some approach to that judicial serenity which we ascribe to a member of the Amphictyonic Council. If Froissart may be termed the Livy of France, she had her Tacitus in Commines.

Philip DE commines has been called the Father Of Modern History. His Memoirs, says Mr. Hallam, almost make an epoch in historical literature. He is the first modern writer who in any degree has displayed sagacity in reasoning on the characters of men and the consequences of their actions, or who has been able to generalise his observations by comparison and reflection. This ability to discuss motives as well as events renders him far superior to Fr'oissart, who, on the other hand, greatly exceeds him in picturesqueness of style and fertility of invention. Froissart merely described notable occurrences; Commines delineated great men. The one, says Sir James Stephen, had contemplated the strife of kings and kingdoms as a spectator of the Isthmian Games may have gazed at that heart-stirring spectacle. The other had watched the schemes of statesmen and the conflict of nations, with some approach to that judicial serenity which we ascribe to a member of the Amphictyonic Council. If Froissart may be termed the Livy of France, she had her Tacitus in Commines.