254 0« ^'^^ comparative Excellence 



this having been already done, by an author* to 

 whom the public are under many important ob- 

 ligations. On the refult of his " Inquiry into the 

 ufefulnefs of Claflical Learning," I fhall take it 

 for granted, that a knowledge of the ancient 

 languages is of great advantage in many depart- 

 ments of fcience; from the exercife of the mind 

 in the abftrufer parts of grammatical ftudy, it 

 acquires a facility, and accuracy of diftindtion 

 which no other occupation can beftow; and by. 

 a proper feledtion of authors we may advance 

 our real knowledge in any particular fcience, 

 whilft we are procuring the means of applying 

 ourfelves with advantage to further ftudics. 



If language be confidered as an implement for 

 the purpofe of attaining, or improving know- 

 ledge, logic is that art which teaches us how to 

 make a right ufe of fuch implement ; whilfl 

 philology, or the fcience of criticifm, maintains 

 the purity of language, and guards it againft 

 thofe innovations which inattention fafhion and 

 habit, are too apt to introduce. 



Thefe ftudies, if they comx not properly under 

 the denomination of fcience, are efiential to the 

 due profecution of it. Whilft they fiipport their 

 dignity, we may reft fatisfied that true know- 

 ledge maintains its ground j but when thefe 

 begin to be neglefted, there is the greateft reafon 



* Beattie. 



to 



