PHILOSOPHY. 



happened to them can be a matter of indifference to us. We 

 are their descendants, we reap the fruits of their public and 

 private labours, and we not only share the inheritance of 

 their property, but derive reputation from their noble actions. 

 History, considered with respect to the nature of its sub- 

 jects, may be divided into general trnd particular ; and with 

 respect to time, into ancient and modern. Ancient history 

 commences with the creation, and extends to the reign of 

 Charlemagne, in the year of our Lord eight hundred. Modern 

 history, beginning with that period, reaches down to the pre- 

 sent times. General history relates to nations and public af- 

 fairs, and may be subdivided into ecclesiastical and civil, or ac- 

 cording to some writers, into sacred and profane. Biography, 

 memoirs, and letters, constitute particular history. Statis'tics 

 refer to the present condition of nations. Geography and 

 chronology are important aids, and give order, regularity, and 

 clearness to all. Kett. 



Questions. — 1. What is the advantage of history in a moral point 

 of view ? 2. In a political .^ 3. In a religious? 4. What are the uses 

 of history in respect to the mental facuhies and the conduct of life ? 

 5. How does history divest us of illiberal prejudices ? G. How does 

 it tend to strengthen our abhorrence of vice, and create, a relish for 

 true greatness ? 7. What is said of the history of our ancestors ? 

 8. How may history be divided .'' 9. subdivided ? 



LESSON 13. 



PhilosopTiy . 



Proposi'tion, a sentence in which any thing is affirmed or denied. 

 Demonstra'tion, a process of reasoning in which we perceive it 



to be impossible that the conclusion should not follow from the 



premises, or antecedent propositions. 



By philosophy we mean the knowledge of the reasons of 

 things, in opposition to history, which is the bare knowledge 

 of facts ; or to mathematics, which is the knowledge of the 

 quantity of things, or their measures. These three kinds of 

 knowledge ought to be joined as much as possible. History 

 furnishes matter, principles, and practical examinations, and 

 mathematics complete the evidence. All arts have their pe- 

 culiar philosophy, which constitutes their theory. It is to be 

 observed, that the bare intelligence and memory of philoso- 



