302 Nations lately become Literary. 



some other respects, and particularly with respect 

 to the patient, laborious and thorough investiga- 

 tion of the various objects of knowledge ; the depth 

 of erudition ; the discipline and subordination of 

 academic establishments ; and the general moral 

 influence of literary and scientific acquirements, 

 the last age cannot with propriety boast of much 

 progress. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



NATIONS LATELY BECOME LITERARY. 



THE last century is not only distinguished by 

 numerous discoveries, and by rich additions to the 

 general stock of science; but also by the rise of 

 several nations from obscurity in the republic of 

 letters, to considerable literary and scientific emi- 

 nence. To attempt to give a full view of the 

 commencement and progress of a taste for litera- 

 ture in those nations, would lead to a minuteness 

 and extent of discussion altogether beyond the 

 limits of our plan. The design of the present 

 chapter, therefore, is only to state some general 

 facts, and to connect with them such names and 

 collateral events as may appear to demand notice, 

 either for the purpose of throwing light on the 

 principal object of inquiry, or of doing honour to 

 meritorious individuals. In the list about to be 

 given of new literary countries, it will not be pos- 

 sible, for various reasons, to include all that 

 might with propriety be mentioned. Passing by 

 several nations, therefore, of inferior character, the 

 most important of those which, in the last century 



