.97 



the distance) wit degenerates into licentiousness ; reasori and 

 propriety into extravagance. 



But enouji>'h has been said by me upon this subject. I 

 would wish, however, before I take my leave of it entirely, 

 to suggest what appears to be the most likely means of cor- 

 recting these evils. It is, to give our youth, of both sexes, a 

 virtuous and religious education ; to make truth the prime 

 object of all these pursuits ; to direct their views to reali' 

 ties instead of shadows ; to engage them in those studies 

 which have a tendency to enlarge and elevate the mind, and 

 strengthen and rectify the judgment as well as to rectify the 

 taste; which accustoms the mind to habits of industry and 

 labour, and gives in return a pleasure, far more exquisite 

 than that which is the meed of idleness or indolence. 



In these times, pains have been taken by the learned, to 

 remove all difficulties out of tb^ "'^y of the learner, and to 

 prevent in future, the necessity on his pari, of any great ex- 

 ertions for the attainment of knowledge : but whilst it is to 

 be doubted, whether this mode of making learning easy will 

 eventually encrease the number of good scholars, some bene- 

 ficial consequences, may, it is hoped, follow from what en- 

 tirely does away the necessity of any extraordinary means, 

 in order to relax the mind after severe and intense applica- 

 tion — the excuse which is offered by many, who indulge 

 themselves in the h^e perusal of fictitious history. 



— Nugse seria ducent in mala. 

 VOL. XII. O 



