DIGRESSIONS on CRITICISM, &c. 457 



fubfiftence, or more frequently fuffer them to 

 languifh in penury, and fometimes die for want. 

 When they are dead you would fain recal them, 

 you would render them immortal by public 

 eulogies and ftatues. Mighty recompenle ! 

 Wonderful munificence ! But you are your own 

 enemies : you deprive your ftate of its mod 

 valuable fubjedls, and you deprive yourfelves 

 of your brighteft glory ! 



CHAP. XXVIII. 



DIGRESSIONS 



1 . On Criticifin ; 



2. On Literary Journals ; 

 5. On Libraries. 



I. TVTO man h as evcr yet known the bare titles 



-L^l of all the books that have been written : 



and no one can ever pretend to have a difcern- 



ment fo ftrictly juft, and a knowledge fo uni- 



vcrfaJ, 



