"History is Philosophy," &c.
—What is the exact source of the often repeated passage,
"History is philosophy teaching by examples?"
I am aware that it is commonly attributed to Bolingbroke, but a distinguished literary friend tells me that he cannot find it in Bolingbroke's writings, and suspects that, as is the case with some other well-known sayings, its paternity is unknown.
T.
[In the Encyclopædia Metropolitana, vol. ix., p. 13., this passage is attributed to Dionysius of Halicarnassus.]
Replies.
COVERDALE'S BIBLE.
(Vol. v., pp. 59., 109.)
Learned disputes about the translation of Biblical words might occupy the pages of "N. & Q." to the discomfort of some of its readers. In fact its numbers might be all swallowed up in the important inquiry after those original texts which our eminent translators used when they supplied England with the water of life, by furnishing the country with a faithful translation of the Holy Oracles. To the martyr Tyndale, and the venerable servant of Christ, Coverdale, this nation and the world are indebted to an extent that no honour to their memory can ever repay. Tyndale, fearless, learned, and devoted, was sacrificed in the prime of life; while Coverdale, more cautious, went on to old age constantly energetic in promoting the Reformation.
Words and sentences can be produced in which Coverdale claims superiority over Tyndale. While Tyndale's is more suited to this day of fearless enquiry and meridian light, Coverdale's may be preferred as a gentler clearing away of the morning clouds which obscured the horizon after Wickliffe had introduced the day spring from on high.