On the Merit of the Ancients , &c. 405 
3. That, when the eleftric power, by which 
vapour is fufpended in the atmofphere, is de- 
ftroyed, a heavy mift, fmall rain or thunder- 
fhowers, will be the confequence. Had the 
advocates for the dodlrine of folution, made heat 
and eledricity, the folvents, their theory would 
have been lefs exceptionable.* 
On the comparative Merit of the Ancients 
and Moderns, with refpehi to the imitative 
Arts. By Mr. Thomas Kirshaw. Read 
February 19, 1783. 
Vitaque tam longte brevior non fufficit Arti. 
Frefhoy de arte Graphica. 
HE life of man being too Ihort, and the 
A extent of human abilities too confined, 
to make confiderable improvements or inven¬ 
tions in any art, we ought to view the per¬ 
formances of celebrated men, with all the 
candour, and generofity, they fo well merit. 
Even, after all the advantages we have received 
from the united (ludies of ages, we may, with 
great juflice fay, how fmall and imperfect is all 
our boafted wifdom, and, how much to be re¬ 
gretted is it, that we have not made a greater 
* This paper is, through accident, placed out of the 
(Order in which it Ihould have been infcrted. 
D d 3 
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