110 On the Ufes of Cloffical Learning. 
Without withing to difparage the purfuits of others; 
without prefuming even to fmile at the minute 
philofopher, whofe life is confumed in contemplating 
and exploring the varied plumage of the butterfly, 
or who felicitates himfelf as the firft of citizens, for 
having added a non-defcript to the unbounded 
catalogue of mopes; without weighing the impor- 
tant confequences which are to refult to the nation, 
from the fortunate difcovery of a curious grave-ftone, 
without promifing our admiration to the voluminous 
difquifitions, with which certain laborious authors 
may chufe to entertain the public, on the taftelefs 
variety of a teffellated pavement, or the fhapelefs 
fragment of fome homely utenfil; let it be our prefent 
bufiriefs to explore the tracts of mind, to meafure 
and calculate the value and utility of the nobleft 
productions of human genius, and to view the 
growth and extenfion of reafon and truth, 
The ftudy of ancient languages, the Greek and 
Latin at leaft, and of what are ufually termed the 
claffical authors in thofe languages, has, for fome 
centuries, conftituted a branch of liberal education, 
in every refined nation in this quarter of the globe. 
It appears, indeed, no more than a juft tribute to 
the labours of antiquity, that pofterity fhould not 
ungratefully confign them to unmerited oblivion; 
nor even content itfelf with contemplating that 
imperfect copy of their features, which a tranflation 
exhibits. It is a curiofity natural to the human 
mind, a becoming pride, to wifh as intimate an 
acquaintance¢ 
