Lecky, William Edward Hartpole

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

William Edward Hartpole (1838-1903), a British historian. He was born near Dublin and died in London. He was graduated at Trinity College, Dublin. He began writing at an early day. His principal works are: Leaders of Public Opinion in Ireland, 1861; History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe, 1861-5; History of European Morals from Augustus to Charlemagne, 1869; History of England in the Eighteenth Century--8 volumes, 1878-1890; Poems, 1891; Democracy and Liberty, 1896; The Map of Life: Conduct and Character, 1899. His historical reputation rests chiefly on the History of England, which, in 1893, was published in a new edition of twelve volumes. Much to the disappointment of Irish friends, Lecky developed into an opponent of home rule. He entered Parliament in 1895 as member for the University of Dublin. In Parliament he lost whatever democratic sympathies he may have had, and became a defender of the acquired privileges of the few, instead of an advocate of the needs of the many. The chief objects of Pagan religions were to foretell the future, to explain the universe, to avert calamity, to obtain the assistance of the gods. They contained no instruments of moral teaching analogous to our institution of preaching, or to the moral preparation for the reception of the sacrament, or to confession, or to the reading of the Bible, or to religious education, or to united prayer for spiritual benefits. To make men virtuous was no more the function of the priest than of the physician. On the other hand, the philosophic expositions of duty were wholly unconnected with the religious ceremonies of the temple.--European Morals.