Ohio archæological and historical quarterly . y unequalled because that is true, as to thecompleteness with which the history isrecited and the attractiveness, indeedsplendor, with which the work is mechan-ically produced. That Mr. Avery, theauthor, is a most painstaking and pleasingwriter is granted, even by those who maycriticize other features of the criticisms, however, seem to beconfined to the incidental features, ofarrangement and execution, rather thanthe substance or main purpose and re-sult of the work. An historian shouldfirst give the facts, second the facts onlypertinen
Ohio archæological and historical quarterly . y unequalled because that is true, as to thecompleteness with which the history isrecited and the attractiveness, indeedsplendor, with which the work is mechan-ically produced. That Mr. Avery, theauthor, is a most painstaking and pleasingwriter is granted, even by those who maycriticize other features of the criticisms, however, seem to beconfined to the incidental features, ofarrangement and execution, rather thanthe substance or main purpose and re-sult of the work. An historian shouldfirst give the facts, second the facts onlypertinent to a thorough knowledge ofthe progress and interpretation of theevents he should set forth the matterchosen for presentation, in an entertain-ing way as possible — as Rooseveltsaid in his scholarly address before the University of Oxford (onJune 7), speaking of the recording of history: We must of coursecordially agree that accuracy in recording facts and appreciation oftheir relative worth and inter-relationship are just as necessary in. Elroy M. Avery. Editorialana. 327 historical study as in any other kind of study; the fact that a bookthough interesting, is untrue, of course, removes it at once from thecategory of history; however much it may still deserve to retain aplace in the always desirable group of volumes which deal with enter-taining fiction; but the converse also holds, at least to the extentof permitting us to insist upon what would be the elementary factthat a book which is written to be read should be readable. Anunquestioned truth, but written history, until the present generation ofhistorians arose, was so exclusively a dry, didactic production that theordinary reader fled from its perusal. The public today demands firstof all that the history be readable, otherwise the public will have noneof it. Mr. Averys history is readable — no history of the United Statesmore so — nor is this characteristic ever employed at the sacrifice ofaccuracy. But to the
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