352 DISCOURSE ON THE STUDY 



nation in Europe which does not produce several. 

 The quick and universal circulation of these, places 

 observers of all countries on the same level of per- 

 fect intimacy with each other's objects and methods, 

 while the abstracts they from time to time (if well 

 conducted) contain of the most important researches 

 of the day consigned to the more ponderous tomes 

 of academical collections, serve to direct the course 

 of general observation, as well as to hold out, in the 

 most conspicuous manner, models for emulative 

 imitation. In looking forward to what may hereafter 

 be expected from this cause of improvement, we are 

 not to forget the powerful effect which must in 

 future be produced by the spread of elementary 

 works and digests of what is actually known in each 

 particular branch of science. Nothing can be more 

 discouraging to one engaged in active research, than 

 the impression that all he is doing may, very likely, 

 be labour taken in vain ; that it may, perhaps, have 

 been already done, and much better done, than, with 

 his opportunities, or his resources, he can hope to 

 perform it ; and, on the other hand, nothing can be 

 more exciting than the contrary impression. Thus, 

 by giving a connected view of what has been done, 

 and what remains to be accomplished in every 

 branch, those digests and bodies of science, which 

 from time to time appear, have, in fact, a very import- 

 ant weight in determining its future progress, quite 

 independent of the quantity of information they 

 communicate. With respect to elementary treatises, 

 it is needless to point out their utility, or to dwell 

 on the influence which their actual abundance, con- 

 trasted with their past remarkable deficiency, is 



