396 Nations lately become Literary. 



Edwards. And perhaps it may be asserted, that 

 within the last thirty years a fondness for metaphy- 

 sical subtleties and refined speculations has remark- 

 ably characterized the theological publications, 

 particularly in the Eastern States of America. 



In Classic Literature, the United States have 

 given birth to little that can be deemed remarkable. 

 The first translation of a classic author ever made 

 and published in America was by James Logans 

 several times before mentioned, who, in 1744, 

 published a version of Cicero's treatise De Senec- 

 iute, with explanatory notes, Since that time 

 several works of a similar kind have been executed 

 in the United States. Among many others who 

 might be mentioned as distinguished for their 

 classic learning and taste, it would be improper to 

 omit the name of Charles Thomson, Esq/ late 

 Secretary of the American Congress. The erudi- 

 tion and skill of this gentleman, especially in Greek 

 literature, do honour to our country. He has com- 

 pleted a translation of the Sepluagint version of 

 the Old Testament Scriptures, and of the Original 

 of the New Testament, which the friends of Bib- 

 lical literature in America hope soon to see pub- 

 lished; and which, in the opinion of good judges^ 

 will be a valuable acquisition to sacred criticism. 



Of Oriental Literature, the votaries in America 

 have been few, and of the fruits of their erudition 

 little has been laid before the public. With regard^ 

 indeed, both to Classic and Oriental literature, our 

 country has rather lost than gained ground within 

 the last hundred years. For though a greater num- 

 ber of persons now gain a smattering of classic lite- 

 rature than at the beginning of the century; yet of 



p This gentleman received the rudiments of his education at the Aca- 

 demy of Dr. Francis Allison, before mentioned, where he was asso- 

 ciated in study with Dr. Ewing, Governor M'Kean, and a number of 

 €>ther Americans of literary distinction. 



