of the Sciences and Arts. 2§j 



In admitting that the arts are intended for our 

 gratification, it muft not be underftood that 

 utility is exclufively the end of fcience, and 

 amufennent the end of the arts. From the ftudy 

 of the fciences, the underftanding is enlarged, 

 and the faculties ftrengthened ; from that of the 

 arts, the affeflions are exercifed and the heart is 

 improved. 



It would be fuperfluous, before the prefent 

 audience, to enter into an explanation of this fen- 

 timent ; for who has not experienced that de- 

 lightful glow, that inexpreflible fenfation, favour- 

 able to virtue and humanity, which the labours 

 of the genuine poet never fail to infpire ? Who 

 has not felt himfelf roufed to aflion, or excited 

 to pity, or affefted with focial forrow, by the 

 powerful effeds of harmony, or the vivid repre- 

 fentations of the pencil ? After being converfant 

 with thefe arts, the mind feels itfelf foothed and 

 foftened, and is then capable of receiving more 

 diftinftly and deeply, and retaining to more ef- 

 fe6lual purpofe, thofe finer imprefiions, whence 

 a very confiderable (hare of human happinefs is 

 derived, and which either give rife to, or highly 

 improve, all the charities of focial life. 



Let us not then conclude, that, becaufe the 

 fi#ie arts are apparently calculated for the grati- 

 fication of our feelings, therefore they are to 

 be poflponed to all the more ferious avocations 

 which have before been noticed. It is their pro- 

 VoL. III. S vince 



