THE SUBJECT CONTINUED. The sphere of the sciences has been greatly enlarged by the discove- ries. THE WORKS of nature. The survey of the works of nature is an employment highly useful and The connecting links of the chain of animals and vegetables. An inquiry into their analogy leads to the science of botany. Its nature. The sexual system was established, not discovered by Linnæus. The structure of plants. Local usefulness of particular vegetables. The prospects of vegetable nature highly gratifying as a subject of taste. Mineralogy, Chemistry. The works of nature raise the mind to the consideration of their great author. Concluding address to the Su- Definition of taste. Its principles are implanted in every mind dis- tinguished by good sense. Taste is capable of high cultivation. proper limits and standard. Individuals, as well as nations, improve their taste, in proportion to their progress of knowledge and refinement. The character of a critic who is a man of taste. Examples: Horace, Quintilian, Vida, Addison, Spence, Lowth, the Wartons, Gray, Rey- nolds, Winkelman. The chief provinces of taste: I. Music. II. Paint- ing. III. Poetry. The beauties of the classics. The pleasures which CLASS VI. THE SOURCES OF OUR NATIONAL PROSPERITY, Has been esteemed an object of great importance by distinguished persons both in ancient and modern times. Eminent writers upon the subject: Hesiod, Xenophon, &c. It has been most flourishing in the soil of liberty. Gradually improved as old errors have been exploded, and new experiments tried, and adopted. The best method of forming general principles upon this subject. Population is limited by the means of subsistence. The character and relative importance of the husbandman. The general advantages of agriculture: Its superiority to THE SUBJECT CONTINUED. The state of agriculture in England compared with that of France, Ireland, and America. Causes of the superiority of England. Plans of farther improvement suggested. All other arts are inferior in point of utility to that of causing the earth to bring forth a copious pro- The extensive prospect of industry exerted in every part of Great-Britain excites our curi osity to inquire into, I. The advantages. II. The principles. III. The comparative state of Commerce. The natural advantages of the island of Great-Britain as a commercial country have been gradually improved by great public works. The influence of cominerce upon agri- culture. Character of the English merchant. The methods which have been adopted for the promotion of commerce. A comparison between the present and former state of England proves the beneficial effects of commeree. The obstacies opposed to its farther improvement may be removed. Great-Britain superior to most countries in the requisite for a widely extended FOREIGN TRAVELS. Its chief advantages. The qualifications necessary for a gentleman who visits foreign coun- tries. The curiosities of his own island to be previously viewed. Bad effects of going abroad too young. Haste in passing through different countries, and ignorance of foreign languages censured. Eminent modern travellers; Gray, Howard, Sir Joseph Banks, Sir William Hamil ton, Moore, Young. The traveller gratifies his taste by treading on classic ground. He visits places celebrated in the writings, and distinguished by the actions of the ancients. He views the ancient and modern specimens of the fine arts: architecture, sculpture, medals, pictures, books. He investigates the state of government, religion, commerce, agriculture, &c. and re- marks their combined effects upon the manners, customs, and prosperity of nations. The ge neral result of his travels shown by their beneficial influence upon his opinions and conduct. Classical learning and the elements of science and philosophy are highly beneficial to those who do not follow a profession, as well as afford the only solid foundation for professional knowledge. The attainments requisite for, I. The barrister. II. The physician. III. The Final exhortations to the improvement of the faculties of the mind, and the acquire ment of useful knowledge, arising chicily from the circumstances of the present times. P. 205-215. On the propriety of learning the English language as an introduction to foreign languages. THE INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Levia quidem hæc, et parvi forte si per se spectentur momenti; sed EX ELEMENTIs constant, ex principiis oriuntur omnia; et ex judicii consuetudine in rebus minutis adhibita, pendet sæpissimè etiam in maximis vera atque accurata Scientia. CLARKE PRAEF. IN ILIAD. TO separate some of the most useful and the most beautiful parts from the great mass of human knowledge; to arrange them in such regular order, that they may be inspected with ease, and varied at pleasure; and to recommend them to the careful examination of young men who are studiously disposed, constitute the design of the author of this work. It is likewise his object to make the most useful topics of literature familiar and easy to general readers, who have not had the advantage of a learned education. The more he reflects upon the PRESENT STATE OF SOCIETY, the VARIOUS FACULTIES of the mind, and the GREAT ADVANTAGES Which arise from acquiring an AMPLE FUND OF VALUABLE IDEAS, the more he is convinced of the utility of engaging in the pursuit of general knowledge, as far as may, be consistent with professional views, and particular situations in life. The custom has prevailed of late years, much more than it did formerly, of introducing young men at an early age into the mixed company of persons older than themselves. As such is the reigning mode, they ought to be prepared in some degree at least to blend manly and serious topics with the sallies of light and gay conversation. And, in order to be qualified for the introduction of such subjects, it seems requisite to unite to the study of the learned languages other attainments, which have a reference to the sciences, the works of nature, and the affairs of active life.. The improvements of the times have turned the attention of the learned to new pursuits, and given their conduct a new direction. The scholar, no longer confined within the walls of a College, as was formerly the case, now mixes in general society, and adapts his studies to an enlarged sphere of observation: he does not limit his reading to the works of the ancients, or to his professional researches alone; but shows his proficiency in the various parts of literature, which are interesting to the world at large. The condition of social intercourse among those who have had the advantages of a liberal education, is at present so. happily improved, that a free communication subsists between all intelligent and well-informed men. The Divine, the Physician, the Barrister, the Artist, and the Merchant, associate without reserve, and augment the pleasure they derive from conversation, in proportion as they obtain an insight into various pursuits and occupations. The more ideas they acquire in common, the sooner their prejudices are removed, a more perfect congeniality of opinion prevails, they rise higher in each other's estimation, and the pleasure of society is ripened into the sentiments of attachment and friendship. In such parties, where the "feast of reason and the flow of soul" prevail with the happiest effect, he who unites to knowledge of the world, the leading ideas and rational principles which well-chosen books can supply, will render himself the most acceptable, and the most valuable companion. Such are now the abundant productions of the press, that books written in our own language upon all subjects whatever are constantly published, and quickly circulate through the whole kingdom. This circumstance has lessened that wide and very evident distinction, which in former times. prevailed between the learned and the unlearned classes of the community. At present, they who have not enjoyed the benefit of a classical education may reap many of the fruits of learning without the labour of cultivation, as translations furnish them with convenient and easy expedients, which can in some measure, although an incomplete one, make amends for their ignorance of the original authors. And upon all subjects of general Literature, Science, and Taste, in their actual and most highly improved state, they have the same means of information in their power with those who have been regularly educated in the Universities, and the public schools. Thus favourable are the temper and the circumstances of the times to the diffusion of knowledge. And if the most mature and deliberate decisions of reflection and experience be required to give weight to the opinion, that comprehensive views of learning and science are calculated to produce the best effects upon the mind, reference can be made to both ancient and modern authorities-to writers of no less eminence than Quintilian, Milton, and Locke. Their observations tend to prove, that close attention to a profession al study is an affair of the first importance, but that invariable and exclusive application to any oife pursuit is the certain mark of a contracted education. For hence the student is led to form a dislike to occupations dissimilar to his own, and to entertain prejudices against those who exercise them. He is liable to view mankind and their employments through a wrong and a discoloured medium, and to make imperfect, if not false estimates of their use and value. In order to prevent such contractedness of disposition, and such errors. of judgment, what method can be more efficacious, than to open some of the gates of general knowledge, and display its most beautiful prospects to his view? Such prospects, distinctly and deliberately surveyed, will produce the most beneficial effects upon his temper and opinions. While they place before him the means of increasing his information, they will render him a more correct judge of its value, and secure him from conceit, affectation, and pedantry. They will render him more capable of appreciating the relative importance and comparative merit of different studies, when referred to the use and ornament of life. He will discern the natural affinity which subsists between the different branches of polite literature, and how capable they are of increasing the influence, and improving the beauties of each other. In short, various pursuits, skilfully chosen and assiduously followed, can give proper activity to every faculty of the mind, inasmuch as they engage the judgment, the memory, and the imagination, in an agreeable exercise, and are associated for one beneficial purpose-like the genial drops of rain, which descend from heaven, they unite in one common stream to strengthen and enlarge the current of knowledge. By studies thus diversified the mind is supplied with copious materials for the serious reflexions of retirement, or the lively intercourse of society; it is enabled, by the combination of many particular ideas, to form those general principles, which it is always eager to embrace, which are of great use in the conduct of life, and may prove in every situation pleasing and advantageous. In short, such a plan is calculated to disseminate that knowledge, which is adapted to the present improved state of society, to divest learning of pedantry, and to afford the scholar some insight into the researches of the philosopher, the occupations of the man of business, and the pleasures of the man of taste. And as the arts and sciences bestow mutual assistance, and reflect mutual light, so are they highly efficacious and bene |