60 



maoious lines and happy expressions, though occasionally it 

 deserves the censure of Voltaire for the use of terms techni- 

 cally scientific. 



Such are the opinions tliat have suggested themselves to 

 the author of this little essay on the question proposed by the 

 academy : he has purposely contracted it, in some places, for 

 the reasons mentioned above, and in others, the pressure of 

 ill health, and the necessary avocations of a more extended 

 and difficult pursuit have prevented him from paying that 

 attention, which the importance of the toj)ic required. Im- 

 perfect as it is, he would not have ventured to obtrude him* 

 self on the notice of the academy, were he not confident that 

 they would be disposed to look with indulgence, on even a 

 feeble endeavour to point out some of the advantages result- 

 ing from a combination of those studies, which have been 

 jointly and equally cherished in this country by their fostering 

 care. They have generously and successfully imdertaken the 

 erection of a temple to learning, where the strength and soli- 

 dity of science is combined with the light and graceful ele- 

 gance of polite literature, and cannot therefore be displeased 

 at the officiousness of him, who would wish " to * partake in 

 the work, though not in the inscription, content to assist 

 in the preparation of that cement, which is intended to unite 

 the various and diversified materinis employed in the con- 

 struction of the edifice itself." 



jVCADEMICUS. 



