and Philosophical Societics. 79 
consequence of a limit prescribed to its number, or 
through other circumstances, do not happen to be 
received within its pale, regard it with grateful es- 
teem, as the source of those habits and attainments 
in themselves to, which, next to the conscientious 
discharge of duty, they owe many of the happiest 
hours of their life. 
The degree in which these advantages may be 
expected to result from the rise of literary and phi- 
losophical associations, will be in some measure re- 
gulated in each instance by incidental causes. But 
to a greater or less extent they are always likely to 
ensue. And to the beneficial consequences which 
have been already mentioned others of a similar na- 
ture are yet to be added. When the society is nu- 
merous, and respectable in the public eye, the tone of 
general conversation throughout the place and its vi- 
cinity, whether in domestic intercourse or in mixed 
company, becomes manifestly raised, He, who is 
accustomed to allot a due portion of his retirement to 
instructive reading and improving thought, will na-, 
turally have his discourse tinctured, when evening 
draws the family circle round him, with the subjects 
to which the studies of the morning were devoted. 
He, to whose mind the productions of literature and 
science are familiar, will be prone to enliven the te- 
dious langour, and to enrich the vapid talkativeness ° 
of the afternoon visit by the easy and well-timed in- 
troduction of facts or observations derived from lite- 
