I'^O THE BEE, OR Feb. 2, 



The foregoing obfervations apply in fome meafure , 

 to effay writing of every kind ; bi t they are chiefly 

 applicable to thofe elTays that are pc.bliQied in fucceffion 

 at fhort intervals of time, like that which you propofe ^ 

 and where they are not confined to a particular clafs 

 of writers, but where full liberty is given for every 

 individual to become a writer when he feels a propen- 

 fity to it, without any farther limitation than good 

 manners and becoming politenefs requires. By means 

 of fuch a publication, to purfue your own fimile, men 

 may be faid to be introduced to a literary fociety, on 

 the moft liberal plan, in which they may not only hear 

 and obferve, but may alfo become aclive members of 

 it. They may there converfe with freedom, on the 

 footing of unbounded equality ; but they are at the 

 fame time compelled to a£t with propriety, and to think 

 with juftnefs ; becaufe any deviation from this plan 

 will immediately receive the corredlon it requires. 

 What travelling therefore, and a general acquaintance 

 with mankind, is to man in his private capacity, writ- 

 ing in a periodical work, is to literary perfons. It is only 

 by mixing with fociety, on a footing of equality, that 

 man can learn to rub off thofe rude Inattentions to 

 others, which felf love fo naturally produces in every 

 individual, when confined to folitude ; and to acquire 

 that fuavity of manner, and attention to others, whicli 

 conftitutes the higheil pleafure of fecial life, that is 

 BOW denominated urbanity. In like manner, it is only 

 ■when literary men mix with others in a periodical pub- 

 lication^ where liberty is permitted to every one to do 

 what he thinks proper, on a footing of perfedt equality, 

 that they can properly feel their own weight, and 

 be compelled to relinquifh thofe iingraclous felf-fufFi- 

 cient tones, which the fancied fuperiorlty that every 

 man is difpofed to afcrlbe to himfelf, before he has ex- 

 perienced the powers of others, fo naturally infplres ; 

 and to give that becoming modefty in reafoning, which 

 conftitutes the higheit polllli of a literary character. I? 



