38 INTRODUCTION. 



regard to one province or department of knowledge, we would then 

 place them at the beginning of that division to which they relate. 

 The system is equally applicable to Libraries, or to Collections of 

 Manuscripts; as the writer has tested by his own experience. A 

 Catalogue, thus arranged, should of course conclude with an alpha- 

 betical index of authors' names ; referring back to their different works. 

 By such a classification of knowledge, the mind is disciplined, and 

 aided, in its highest efforts of analysis and comparison. A love of 

 order, and method, is cultivated ; which cannot fail to have a benefi- 

 cial influence, in various mental operations, and in the active pursuits 

 of life. The system forms a kind of Mnemonics, or artificial me- 

 mory ; by which ideas are more readily retained and recalled, than if 

 mingled in confusion : and if the mind is not better furnished there- 

 by ; at least its furniture is better arranged, and more ready for use. 

 The young reader especially, will, it is hoped, derive benefit from 

 such a system of Pantology. To know how much there is to be 

 known, is, of itself, a stimulus to the inquiring mind , and to compre- 

 hend the relations of the different branches of knowledge, is no small 

 step toward their thorough acquisition. Finally, it must contribute 

 to gratify that curiosity, which was implanted in our breasts ; not 

 only to fit us for secular pursuits, but to raise our thoughts above 

 them ; to bring us into closer communion with the Great Author of 

 Nature, through his works, and his revelations ; and to prepare us, in 

 some degree, for a higher and eternal state of existence, in His imme- 

 diate presence. 



