hich form the groundwork of all historical knowledge, and
which, in one shape or another, are found among some of the rudest
tribes of the earth. They are for the most part sung by a class of men
whose particular business it is thus to preserve the stock of
traditions. Indeed, so natural is this curiosity as to past events that
there are few nations to whom these bards or minstrels are unknown.
Thus, to select a few instances, it is they who have preserved the
popular traditions, not only of Europe, but also of China, Tibet, and
Tartary; likewise of India, of Scinde, of Beloochistan, of Western Asia,
of the islands of the Black Sea, of Egypt, of Western Africa, of North
America, of South America, and of the islands in the Pacific.

In all these countries, letters were long unknown, and as a people in
that state have no means of perpetuating their history except by oral
tradition, they select the form best calculated to assist their memory;
and it will, I believe, be found that the first rudiments of knowledge
consist always of poetry, and often of rhyme. The jingle pleases the ear
of the barbarian, and affords a security that he will hand it down to
his children in the unimpaired state in which he received it. This
guarantee against error increases still further the value of these
ballads; and instead of being considered as a mere amusement, they rise
to the dignity of judicial authorities. The allusions contained in them
are satisfactory proofs to decide the merits of rival families, or even
to fix the limits of those rude estates which such a society can
possess. We therefore find that the professed reciters and composers of
these songs are the recognized judges in all disputed matters; and as
they are often priests, and believed to be inspired, it is probably in
this way that the notion of the divine origin of poetry first arose.
These ballads will of course vary according to the customs and
temperaments of the different nations, and according to the climate to
which they are accustomed. In the south they assume a passionate and
voluptuous form; in the north they are rather remarkable for their
tragic and warlike character. But notwithstanding these diversities, all
such productions have one feature in common: they are not only founded
on truth, but making allowance for the colorings of poetry, they are all
strictly true. Men who are constantly repeating songs which they
constantly hear, and who appeal to the authoriz