¢16 On the Ufes of Claffical Education, 
thing to genius and induftry, ftill it cannot be denied 
that accuracy in writing, at leaft, is almoft exclu- 
fively the characteriftic of thofe, who can boaft fome 
acquaintance with the languages of antiquity. 
IV. It is fome commendation of almoft any 
purfuit, to fay, that it affords us an elegant and an 
innocent amufement. ‘That it engages occafionally 
the mind, which, perhaps, would otherwife be the 
prey of fpleen; that it fills up agreeably thofe hours, 
which, if left vacant, might perhaps be contaminated 
_ with vice; ) 
8c une eg Aa: tine 
Pofces anté diem librum cum Jumine; fi non 
Intendes animum ftudiis & Rebus honetftis, 
Invidia vel amore vigil torquebere, 
It is true there are a number of excellent authors 
in our own language, but ftill the perufal of the. 
claffics, in their original drefs, varies and extends 
this fpecies of entertainment. 
V. It is pleafant to obferve the manner of an 
original author, and inftructive to remark the peculiar 
ftyle, in which men of exalted genius have, at fuch 
diftant periods, expreffed themfelves. 
VI. Have you ever remarked, Sir, that from the 
pernfal of an -original author, one feems to form a 
more perfect piture of the manners and characters 
of the age.which he defcribes, than can be acquired 
by a tranflation? J think Homer is a ftriking 
illuftration of this faét; indeed, one of the great 
ufes of the Iliad, has always appeared to me, to be 
the 
