376 Nations lately become Literary. 



respectable clergyman, and by some others, their 

 contemporaries. These gentlemen, being instruc- 

 tors in the College at this time; and having im- 

 bibed a more predominant taste for polite literature 

 than had been common among their predecessors; 

 encouraged among the students, both by precept 

 and example, a new degree of attention to the 

 best writers in their own language, and to the 

 graces of composition. The change, however, 

 was carried to a greater length than its enlightened 

 authors intended or approved. Designing only to 

 raise the study of polite literature to its proper sta- 

 tion, it soon began to usurp the place of the more 

 abstruse sciences, and of the ancient languages; 

 which, though still studied with considerable care, 

 have, perhaps, never since regained their former 

 important station in that seminary. 



The arrival of Dr. Witherspoon" in America, 

 from North-Britain, is entitled to notice among 

 the events which contributed to the advancement 

 of literature and science in our country. It is 

 not to be supposed, that a mind, so vigorous, 

 enlightened, and active as his, and placed in a 

 conspicuous station, could fail of contributing to 



n Dr. John- Witherspoon* was born at Yester, near Edinburgh, Feb- 

 ruary 5, 1722. After being settled in the Gospel ministry, for up- 

 wards of twenty years, in North-Britain, he came to America in 1768, 

 and continued to preside over the College of New-Jersey from that time 

 till his death in 1794. Whether we consider Dr. Witherspoon as a 

 Divine, a Statesman, or the Head of a literary institution, his talents 

 and usefulness present themselves in a very conspicuous light. Scarcely 

 any man of the age had a more vigorous mind, or a more sound practical 

 understanding ; and though many have had more learning, yet a mass of 

 information better selected, or more thoroughly digested, than that which 

 he possessed, is rarely to be found. See an excellent Sermon preached on 

 the occasion of his death, by the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, of New-York, 

 which contains a comprehensive and ably drawn character of the deceased. 

 Though the largest and most valuable part of Dr. Witherspoon's writ- 

 ings was published before he left Britain, yet he wrote and published much 

 after his removal to America. Mr. W. W. Woodward, of Philadelphia, 

 has lafely rendered important service to the cause of religion and litera- 

 ture, by collecting the whole of his works, and presenting two editions 

 of them to the American public. 



