ι Ixxì ScBftant from truth ; or his work trélî othêrwïfe \À . iefs an hiftory, than a heap of fables and popular rumours. v Notwithftanding ail (Froiffart tells us of the care he took to hear both fides, and to compare their different accounts with each other, often with the original pieces, I think he may be accufed of fome little negligence on this head. His manner of life allowed him but little leifure to niake ail the reflections and all the companions which fach an exami* nation would require. In thofe countries whither hie aftive curiofity carried him, other attentions occupied his mind. Charged* fometimes with fecret commiffions, he endeavoured to iniinuate himfelf into the good graces of thofe princes he vifited, by compofitions of gallantry, 'by romances, by poetry; and the love, he ever had for pleafure took fuch poffeflion both of his time and his heart, that fiis mind Biuft have been often turned from the ferious meditations of the cabinet, of which naturally it was not very capable. I am not afraid to fay, that his manner of life is to be found in fome fort re-traced even in his chronicles. . We fee in them tumultuous meetings of warriors of all ages, degrees* and countries ; feafts ; entertainments at inns ; convertirions after fupper, which lafted until a late hour; where every one was eager to. relate what he had feen, or done : after which^the travelling hiftorian, before he went to bed, haftened to put on paper every thing, his memory could recolieâ. We obferve in them the hiftory of events which happened during the courfe Q£ almoft a centurj, in all the provinces of thé e 4 king