1791. ON GOTHIC ARCfnXECTtJRE. I4t 



architefts, inftead of being a fet of ignorant Barbarians,- 

 have been Ikilful artifts, who were guided by the true 

 principles of philofophj, and who, in every great work 

 they have attempted, have invariably attained their 

 end in the rnqft direft manner, by mechanical devices 

 of the mod iimple and efficacious nature. In refpe£l 

 to knowledge, therefore, and the application of that 

 knowledge to effect the purpofe they had in view, 

 which I would denominate genius, it will be impoffible 

 to fay they were deficient. I would now aifo wilh to 

 inquire whether they were as deficient in refped: of fi7/?f, 

 as they have been ufually accounted, did I know how 

 to proceed without heaping up words without meaning, 

 as fo many others liave done before nie on this fubjeit. 

 If upon farther refleftion I think it practicable to a- 

 void this, I ihall perhaps attempt it. But it is time 

 to give my readers fome refpite ; to mzny of whom 

 this difcuffion will, 1 am fenfible, appear very unintereft- 

 ing, though others, I trult, will deem it otherwife. 

 We mull endeavour to find a few articles fuited to 

 every tafte. It is impoffible that anyone kind of efTiys 

 fhould pleafe every clafs of readers. 



Fahle of the two Ears of Corn. 

 Two ears of full grown wheat that happened to ftand 

 next each other in a field, fell into the foUovving little 

 dialogue : Says the tailed to the other, What makes 

 you iiold down your head ? if you could fee as I do, 

 you would be v.'ell- entertained, and look down upon 

 half the world. Yes, faid the other, but my head is 

 too full to be able to enjoy all your vilions ; but the 

 barn floor will beft fettle our comparative merits, and 

 pur comparfitive happinefs. 



Moral. 

 Knowledge and modefty dcpreires, while an empty head 

 elevates the man in his o'vn opinion with rcfpeft to his 

 fellows. B. A. 



