CHARACTERS. 
and, by his becoming the favourite 
companion of the richer scholars, 
he began to lead an indolent and an 
irregular course of life. He remain- 
ed some time undetermined con- 
cerning the choice of an occupation. 
When a youth, he had no disposition 
for study. It was only the ambi- 
tion of his father to make his son a 
clergyman, that impelled him to the 
profession ; and when the resolution 
was finally taken, the want of proper 
means of support detained him some 
time longer from entering on anaca- 
demic course. This difficulty being 
at length surmounted, in some de- 
gree, he went to Leipsic in 1744, to 
prosecute his studies, particularly in 
theology. Here be continued for two 
years, and attended the lectures of 
Professor Crusius, who had distin- 
guished himself at this period, by 
rejecting the visionary systems that 
had been so much in vogue, and by 
uniting philosophy with religion. 
The instructions which he received 
from the school of Crusius had an 
important and permanent influence 
on his mind :—but his vigorous ge- 
nius was wearied by the slow pro- 
cess of public lectures ; he applied 
himself, therefore, with unremitted 
diligence, to study his master’s sys- 
tem, by reading the most distin- 
guished authors that had writien in 
opposition to it, or in support of it. 
The writings of Wolf, to which he 
also applied, rendered his mind un- 
settled respecting many doctrines 
that he had imbibed for Christianity ; 
aod a sceptical disposition being 
once excited, he began to entertain 
some anxious doubts respecting the 
truth of the Christian revelation 
itself:—till, at length, by reading 
the best authors on this interesting 
controversy, he became a firm be- 
liever of the truth of Christ’s mis- 
sion, though he denied most of those 
Vor. XXXIV. 
353 
doctrines which many Christians 
think an essential part of their faith. 
During his abode at Leipsic, his fi- 
nances were so scanty, thatit was only 
three times ina week that he could 
afford himself a comfortable meal. 
In the year 1749, he was appoint- 
ed private tutor to the son of a gen- 
tleman in Holstein. This situation 
gave him an opportunity of bringing 
to the test of experience, the plan of 
an improved method of education, 
which he had for some time had in 
contemplation. The attempt suc- 
ceeded to his wishes. His young 
pupil was only seven years of age at 
the time when he was appointed his 
preceptor, and could merely read the 
German language. We are inform- 
ed, that, in the space of three years, 
he was able not only to read Latin 
authors, but to translate from the 
German into that language, and also 
to speak and write it with a degree 
of fluency. The young gentleman 
had moreover madeconsiderable pro- 
gress in the principles of religion and 
morals, in history, geography, and 
arithmetic. This success procured 
the preceptor much renown, anden- 
couraged him to prosecute his plan. 
with redoubled assiduity. 
M. Bassedow was chosen professor 
of moral philosophy and belles lettres 
atthe university of Sorde, inthe year 
1753; where he enjoyed farther op- 
portunities of pursuing his favourite 
object. While in this station, he 
published several works which were 
well received; particularly a treatise 
on practical philosophy for al] classes, 
in which the particulars of his plan 
are fully explained; and also a gram- 
mar of the German language. He 
applied himself, with great assiduity,. 
during his residence in this place, to 
the study of theology ; from an ea- 
ger and conscientious desire of form- 
ing just and consistent ideas of reli- 
Z gion, 
