58- 

 THE BEE, 



OR 



LirERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGEN'CER, 



FOR. 

 WEDNKSDAY JANUARY 25. I792 



COMPARATIVE VIEW 



OF THE MODE OF WRITING HISTORT, 

 In ancient and modern times. 



For the Bee. 



It has been commonly observed, that in the infancy 

 of human reason, its chief gratifications are among 

 those objecls which create wonder and delight ; that 

 mankind in their first mental efforts generally prefer 

 what will fiU and expand the imagination, than what 

 will satisfy the judgement. Tired with a general 

 view of the wonders of nature, and dazzled with 

 their profusion, they are, for ages, unv\'illing to bid 

 adieu to these pleasing scenes of inchantment, in or- 

 der to turn their attention to a sober and minute in- 

 ■quiry after truth. It is not till imagination has 

 first taken its bound-Iefs range through nature, and 

 collected the subjects of human knowledge, that phi- 

 losophy succeeds, and, viewing the splendid confusion 

 of things, begins its arduous and laborious talk, ar- 

 'anges them into their proper genera and species, 

 vol.. vii. Q_ f 



