130 On. the Ufes of Claffical Learning. 
Were I to chufe a preceptor for my own children, 
I fhould certainly prefer a man of general knowledge. 
A man who was converfant with modern literature 
and modern fcience, as well as with the ancient 
writers, would certainly improve the tafte, would 
certainly enlarge the underftanding of young perfons, 
more than the mere Claffic, even though the latter 
fhould make Latin verfes with greater facility. 
In a word, without neglecting the ancients, we 
may derive much wifdom, much tafte, and much 
pleafure from the productions of modern writers ; the 
ftudy of both is compatible, if we ftudy both as we 
ought. 
I owe many apologies, Sir, to your refpectable 
Society, for the unfinifhed and imperfect ftate in 
which this Effay is prefented. You were pleafed 
to call upon me for fome contribution to your 
valuable fund of literary and philofophical infor- 
mation, and I was unwilling to raife your expectations 
by delay. Inthe midft of a laborious life, and a 
feries of interruptions, I have fnatched a few moments 
to arrange my ideas on a fubject, which I fhould 
with to fee taken up by fome abler hand, but which 
appeared of too much importance to be utterly 
neglected. 
I am, dear Sir, 
With much refpedt, 
. | Your moft faithful fervant, 
Winkworth Buildings, G. GREGORY. 
April gth, 1791. 
