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negligence or forgetfulnefs, and the repetition of tautologous 

 founds can only proceed from the emptinefs of the uader- 

 ftanding. 



From the ftyle of words joined with the ftyle of thought and 

 fentiment a full portrait of the writer's intelledual habits and 

 powers may be drawn, as far at leaft as is neceffary for under- 

 ftanding his works, or ufefiil for admonition from his example. 

 We may form a proper eftimate of the value of his authority from 

 the difcovery we may thus make of his means of information 

 and capacities of judging, and we may learn what in his habits 

 was conducive to his improvement, and what gave rife to his 

 faults. Such ufeful knowledge confirmed from fadls in the 

 known hiftory of fome writers may furnifh matter for analogical 

 reafoning as to others, concerning whom we have no authentic 

 biographical accounts ; but it may more efpecially fupply ufeful 

 documents to young proficients in literature, and valuable lefTons 

 of prudence, of diligence, and of morals to all. 



Thus from the writings of Milton we may fee the value of 

 ftudious habits, even under the greateft difadvantages, and we are 

 taught the folly of thofe who would encourage imagination by re- 

 prefling learning. From the works of Shakefpcare, a man, from 

 whom birth and circumftances have withheld all dired communi- 

 cation with ancient authors, may find that " with fmall Latin and 

 «' lefs Greek" a poet may, through a diligent examination of the 

 human heart and an acute obfervation of human life, rife to the 



higheft 



