The Anfwer of the Roy a! Academy, 149 



follies, the lofs is double: for the money is 

 fpent, and our native virtues ai*e adulterated 

 by new-imported vices. This occafions a mo- 

 ral evil, which grows more incurable from time 

 to time, fmce there are fo few that are con- 

 fcious of its baneful influence. 



A nation which does no honour to fcience, 

 arts, and trade, can expert nothing but foreign 

 fopperies from their travellers : for how can 

 they be inquifitive in other countries about 

 thofe things which are defpifed in their own ? 

 or, why fhould they with a great deal of trou- 

 ble acquire fuch notions abroad, as will not be 

 regarded or adopted at their return ? And this 

 is the principal reafon of the little benefit 

 which Sweden has formerly reaped from its 

 travellers. But, fmce fcience has been equally 

 efteemed both by high and low, we can boafl 

 of thofe travellers, whofe fole view has been to 

 improve their knowledge by frelh experience. 

 The more foreign nations endeavour to con- 

 ceal any wife regulations, the more is their 

 laudable defire of knowledge inflamed. And 

 as it is difficult to conceal any thing from a 

 quick-fighted and wife man; fo it has likewife 

 but feldom happened, that connoiffeurs (the 

 purpofe of whofe travels has been the im- 

 k 3 provement 



