1^92. on Sl//ari's elements. 141 



For my own part, when I remember that I have lived 

 from the Barbara celarent of the year 1754, to the ele- 

 ments of the philosophy of the human mind in the year 

 1792, I almost think myself the wandering^ J^w, and feel 

 myself the subject of historian ages. 



It is for this reason, Sir, that 1 desire to recommend to 

 the public the masterly volume of Dr Dugaid Stuart, 

 in which, by a patrent and discerning selection of the ele- 

 ments of the philosophy of the human mind, he has begun 

 to erect a platform, upon which there may be hereafter 

 erected a fabric, that may aspire, like Babel, to the celestial 

 regions, but witliout prophanity and folly, or any of the 

 consequences that have arisen from tl>€ philosophical theo- 

 ries of the moderns. I percelv£ in this book, as in the ex- 

 cellent efsay on political economy by Adam Smith, clear 

 ideas, distir.ctly displayed by an enlarged and luminous un- 

 derstanding, fuUy pofscfsed of the subject of which the au- 

 thor treats ; and I see it happily within the reach of every 

 contemplative and cultivated reader, so that I can, without 

 any Impropriety, recommend it to the perusal of your rea- 

 ders in general. Some of Dr Stuart's chapters will no 

 doubt be too deep for men of businefs, In tlie ordinary 

 proftGIons of life j but these may be pafsed over in the per- 

 usal, or convey enough of sentiment to excite a desire In 

 them, either to go over the ground necefsary to unfold 

 his arguments, or to be at pains to give these advantages 

 to tli'iir ciiildren, or to those young people who are com- 

 mitted to their charge. They will see here, likewise, the 

 unspeakable advantage-arising from an in;>truciion in the 

 ■principles of mathematical learning, and be induced to be- 

 stow it in the same manner. They will also be convinced 

 that none but the enemies of the human race, and oi" ihe 

 hanpinefs arising from a peaceable and good admir.Ihtratlon 

 of public alTairs, will ever object to the genir.il diffusion 

 cf moral anJ political, as \vc!i as cthtr useful knowledge, 



