Hume's Chronicle
A scholarly exploration of David Hume's monumental history, detailing its publication, composition, narrative scope, philosophical underpinnings, and critical reception.
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Overview
The Monumental Work
David Hume's The History of England is a multi-volume historical narrative that spans from the Roman invasion of Britain to the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Written and published in installments between 1754 and 1762, it was Hume's most ambitious literary undertaking.
Author and Context
Authored by the renowned Scottish philosopher David Hume, the work was composed during his tenure as librarian for the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh. It reflects his deep engagement with political philosophy, constitutional theory, and the intellectual currents of the Enlightenment.
Reception and Impact
Upon its initial release, Hume's History was met with significant controversy and outrage from various political factions. Despite this, it achieved remarkable commercial success, becoming a best-seller and establishing itself as the standard history of England for its era, providing Hume with long-sought financial independence.
Scope and Structure
The complete work covers the period from Julius Caesar's invasion (55 BC) to the Revolution of 1688. It is arranged chronologically, though published in volumes that did not strictly follow this order. The narrative encompasses England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.
Publication History
A Phased Release
Hume initially intended to focus on the reigns of the Stuart monarchs. The publication unfolded over several years, with the final volumes appearing last:
- 1754: Volume V, covering the reigns of James I and Charles I (published first).
- 1757: Volume VI, covering the Commonwealth and the reigns of Charles II and James II.
- 1759: Volumes III and IV, detailing the House of Tudor.
- 1762: Volumes I and II, covering the period from Julius Caesar to Henry VII (published last).
Due to the titles of the later volumes, the entire work is sometimes referred to as History of Great Britain.
Circumstances of Composition
Legitimizing the Revolution
Hume's primary concern, particularly in his early writings on the Stuarts, was to contextualize and legitimize the Revolution of 1688. He sought to demonstrate that the revolution principles were not inherently radical but rather a necessary response to monarchical overreach, aiming to appeal across political divides.
Navigating Anti-Scottish Sentiment
Writing in an era of significant anti-Scottish prejudice in England, Hume, a Scot himself, employed a sophisticated style to navigate these sensitivities. His work can be seen as a masterclass in addressing national identity and historical interpretation within a complex political landscape.
The Revolution of 1688
Liberty and Precedent
Hume viewed the 1688 Revolution as a pivotal moment that decisively settled key questions in favor of liberty and established the precedent of deposing a monarch, thereby solidifying popular principles within the English Constitution. He argued against the notion of an entirely seamless constitutional evolution, emphasizing the revolutionary break.
Declarations of Right
Hume highlighted the differences between the English Bill of Rights and the Scottish Claim of Right. While the Bill of Rights, influenced by John Locke, focused on parliamentary consent for laws, the Claim of Right, potentially shaped by Viscount Stair, asserted that abuses of power led to forfeiture of the crown. Hume's analysis suggests a nuanced understanding of the constitutional settlement, acknowledging influences beyond pure evolutionary theory.
The House of Tudor
Henry VII to Elizabeth I
This section of Hume's history covers the establishment of the Tudor dynasty by Henry VII, the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII and the English Reformation, the brief Protestant reign of Edward VI, the counter-reformation under Mary I, and concludes with the long reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Hume's portrayal of Elizabeth was controversial, and his examination of the papers concerning Mary, Queen of Scots, led to significant debate.
History of Great Britain
The Stuart Era
Hume's narrative details the reigns of James I and Charles I, exploring attempts at union between Scotland and England, the growing tensions leading to the English Civil War, the Scottish National Covenant, and the Irish rebellion. The work continues through the Commonwealth period, the Restoration under Charles II, and the reign of James II, culminating in the Revolution of 1688.
The Early History
Anglo-Saxon and Norman Eras
Hume traces the history back to the formation of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms (the Heptarchy) and the Romano-Welsh period they supplanted. He then covers the era following Magna Carta through the Wars of the Roses, describing it as a time when the English nation was reinvented after Norman subjugation. Hume critiques appeals to an idealized ancient constitution, viewing them as potentially masking ambition.
Constitutional History
Monarchy, Parliament, and Law
Hume's work includes extensive appendices and discursions on constitutional matters. He challenges the notion that absolute monarchy was solely a Stuart innovation, arguing that the Tudors wielded significant power and that the rule of the early Stuarts was milder than Elizabeth's. He traces the convention of parliamentary consent for taxation back to the Lancastrian period and discusses the gradual implementation of Magna Carta.
Political Economy
Labor, Passions, and Markets
Hume's historical analysis incorporates insights into political economy. He posits that "everything in the world is purchased by labour, and our passions are the only causes of labour," a view closely aligned with Adam Smith. The work includes discussions on the fluctuations in commodity prices, such as corn, across different historical periods.
The Crusades: A Nadir
Folly and Barbarity
Hume viewed the Crusades, beginning in the reign of William Rufus, as a "most signal and most durable monument of human folly." He detailed the violence, such as the massacre of Muslims and Jews after the storming of Jerusalem, while also noting the complex interplay of religious fervor, courage, and barbarity. He contrasted figures like Saladin, whom he admired for his generosity, with Richard Coeur de Lion, whom he characterized as more barbaric.
Justinian's Pandects
Influence on Law
Hume identified the accidental rediscovery of Justinian's Pandects around 1130 in Amalfi, Italy, as a significant event for European civilization. He recognized its importance for the development of law, noting its influence on Roman Dutch law and Scottish jurisprudence (via Stair's Institutions). While Roman jurisprudence didn't become England's municipal law due to associations with canon law, its principles were gradually absorbed into English common law, refining it from its "rudeness and imperfection."
Philosophy and Intellectual Currents
Critiques and Appraisals
Hume, a key figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, critically assessed contemporary and earlier thinkers. He lauded Isaac Newton as the greatest genius for instruction, while also acknowledging the limits of the mechanical philosophy. He critiqued John Locke and Thomas Hobbes for their political theories, finding Locke's ideas on government susceptible to antinomianism and Hobbes's politics conducive to tyranny. He praised James Harrington's The Commonwealth of Oceana and noted the intellectual contributions of figures like Francis Bacon and John Napier.
Criticism and Revision
Tory Bias and Jefferson's Condemnation
Hume's History faced accusations of historical revisionism, particularly of promoting Tory viewpoints. Thomas Jefferson famously condemned the work as "poison," believing it undermined English constitutional liberties and was more damaging than a large standing army. Jefferson cited John Baxter's "corrected" version as a remedy.
Hume's Own Revisions
Towards the end of his life, Hume acknowledged making over a hundred alterations to the reigns of the first two Stuarts, consistently shifting towards the Tory perspective. He argued that the English constitution before this period should not be viewed as a regular plan of liberty, challenging the Whig historical narrative of continuous freedom.
Further Reading
Scholarly Resources
Explore deeper analyses of Hume's historical work:
- Sabl, A. Humeโs Politics: Coordination and Crisis in the History of England (Princeton University Press, 2012).
- Wei, Jua. Commerce and Politics in Humeโs History of England (Boydell and Brewer, 2017).
- Wootton, D. "David Hume, 'The Historian.'" in The Cambridge Companion to Hume (1993).
External Links
Online Resources
- Liberty Fund Edition of 'The History of England' (6 vols.) (opens in new tab)
- Jefferson's Letter to William Duane (opens in new tab)
- David Hume: Prophet of the Counter-revolution (Bongie) (opens in new tab)
- 'The History of England' Audiobook (LibriVox) (opens in new tab)
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References
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, entry on Hume
- this phenomenon appears to have been defined by David Masson
- See Macaulay's rather dusty account. This Stair is not to be confused with his son, the genocidaire of Glencoe.
- See Scottish National Consciousness in the Age of James VI Arthur H. Williamson
- Humes Letters, OUP, Letters 2 vols. ed.J.Y.T.Greig; More Letters ed. Raymond Klibansky, Ernest Mossner
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