72 On the Institution of Literary 
welfare of the institution. The society cannot 
flourish, unless the place of its establishment, and 
the vicinity of that place, shall together furnish such 
a number of persons respectable for their talents, 
~and attached to literary and scientific pursuits, as is 
of itself sufficient to uphold the institution in vigour 
and activity; or, at least, such a number of persons 
of this description as may be likely, by the effect of 
their characters and of their exertions, speedily to 
kindle in the breasts of others that love of learning 
and philosophy which animates themselves. Of all 
situations the metropolis is unquestionably the most 
favourable. It comprehends within its precincts a 
far greater assemblage of abilities and of knowledge 
than is to be found collected in any other part of 
the kingdom; and it supplies to abilities and know- 
ledge those means of facilitating research, and of 
perfecting discoveries, which it would be in vain to 
seek for elsewhere. There the literary man, whe- 
ther he devotes himself to the investigations depend- 
ing on profound erudition, or to the elegant pur- 
suits of ingenuity and taste, is all times within the 
reach of libraries stored with the information, an- 
cient or modern, of which he stands in need; and 
in the neighbourhood of eminent_ persons engaged 
in kindred enquiries, and ready by communication 
of knowledge and by friendly discussion: to throw 
light on the subject on which he is employed. The 
philosopher enjoys similar advantages both with re- 
yar 
a RATT tel gems 
