t30 ' THE BEE, OR Jan. 2t^ 



ceiVed, the fucceffive changes that had taken place in the 

 courfc oi^ages. Fadls alio, which are now lofl, by the dif- 

 perllon and deflruction of thofe fugitive pieces in which they 

 occur, would here be preferved, for the fervice of thofe 

 thai could fBake ufe of them, without trouble or expence ; 

 and J^nowledge be thus diftufed with a degree of certainty, 

 that never otherwife could be obtained. 



To enumerate all the advantages that would refult flora 

 this inftitution, would fill a volume ; and to trace them 

 out diftindly, would require a compafs of mind that few 

 poflcfs. I cannot therefore attempt it. One particular, 

 however, ought not to be here paffed over, as it ferves to 

 remove xm objeftion, that will probably be urged, refpedl- 

 ing the accumulation here, of manv private trifling papers, 

 hand-bills, advertifements, &c. which many perfons will 

 think ought to be excluded, as mere ufeleis lumber. But 

 by tliefe papers, ufeleis indeed, and in other refpei^ls trifling, 

 dates might be often afcertaincd with a degree of prccifion, 

 that could hi no other way have been done. A fugitive 

 advertifement, a burial letter, or fuch trifling publication^ 

 Irom their incidental connexion with collateral events 

 would fervc to authenticate fads, which could be often af- 

 certaincd by no other way ; and by this means, many a 

 woithv family might be faved from being ruined by cxpen- 

 five litigations, or might be freed from the gripe of artful 

 vlllany . Ontlil'; account therefore, and becaufe thefe fugitive 

 trifles fci-ve elTcdually, to mark the progrefs, and prefcht 

 Klate of manaers, arts and refinement, it would be highly 

 improper to exclude them; But were they even altogether 

 ulclefs, it would flUl be right to make no exceptions, be- 

 caufe a door might be thus opened to abufes, the nature and 

 extent of which no one can at prefent divine, 

 • No exception therefore flioald be made to any clafs of 

 papers; but the catalogue of thefe private papers might 

 vei-y properly be kept by itfelf^, and needed not be publifh- 

 ed, as no one would think of looking Into them but thofe 

 who \\' anted to fettle difputed points in law, or to invcfti^ 

 g:iie the flate of mr.niiersatthc time. • • 



