government is wholly distinct and separate from the peo^ 

 pie, and seems to have difterent feelings. In a democra- 

 cy the people are all in all: we are perpetually told of 

 the majesty of the people. In a despotism the people 

 are nothing. A democratic government is ever studious 

 of public magnificence: her re wards, are, generally, the prot- 

 ductions of the fine arts, orations, elegies, pictures, sta- 

 tues, triumphal arches, and monuments. It is unnecessary 

 to mention, hoAv favourable this must have been to poetry, 

 oratory, sculpture and architecture: indeed it is obvious, 

 that the popular assemblies were the nursing parents of 

 poetry and eloquence. The effect of a general participa- 

 tion in the administration of government, must be, to foria 

 a refined and well-informed population, to educate the 

 public mind, and call forth the mass of talents and sood 

 sense, which exists in a nation. It will produce a greater 

 attention to correctness and propriety, in speaking and 

 writing the language of the country ;^,l>^cause every indi- 

 vidual will feel, that he may, at some time or other, , be 

 called upon, to discuss important subjects, and to delji- 

 ver his sentiments in public. The citizens will, therefore, 

 study their native tongue, and understand it ip (perfec- 

 tion: they will comprehend all its force and beauty, and 

 be masters of all the delicacies and refinements of speak- 

 ing. All this must be highly favourable to every species 

 of composition; since it must incite and lead men to 

 cultivate the vernacular language of their country. This 

 is the first and true fouudatiou of-the studies' of poetry 

 VOL. X. r and 



