sions, political state; ^\\d, afterwards, by shewing tl;e ne- 

 cessary infiuence of certain forms of government, and other 

 pohtical circumstances, on the fine arts. I shall next con-^ 

 sider, how certain great historical events, by changing the 

 political relations of countries, and influencing the state 

 of society, have, at the same time, influeil.ced tl\e) st^te 

 of these arts. Lastly, I shall adduce a few striking facts, 

 from the history of the arts themselves. 

 33'iThe expression, political state of a country, is exceedingly 

 'Comprehensive. 'dt extends;, not only/ to ; the particular form 

 of government, in ahy^iveii countiy, and to the degree 

 of civil liberty, which its inhabitants enjoy; but, also, to 

 other circumstances, influencing the well-being, the feel- 

 'ings, and character of a nation i as extent of territory, 

 commerce,' foreign relations. If this is &, fair explanation 

 of the phrase, po/i^icffi^ s^«fe, it may be seen, what a 

 vast field of discussion is opened, by the question pro- 

 posed. . < ■ .1.. ■.;.: . ■,; . 

 ~ 'But, I trust, the nari'ow limits,! Ijyf tWihich an Essay of 

 ^this nature is necessarilyt circumscribed, will concur, with 

 the scanty information, and humble talents of the writer, 

 to plead his excuse, for the imperfect execution of the 

 task, proposed by the Academy. xi«f;oi 



Among the political circumstances of, a country, the 

 "form of government has the greatest influence on the cha- 

 'racter and temper of the nation, and the destiny of the 

 arts. But there are collateral circumstances, which may 

 imperiously control the genius and tendency of govern- 

 ment. 



