404- Nations lately become Literary. 



ventions and improvements which do honour to* 

 American genius. And with regard to the Fine 

 Arts, three out of four of our greatest native 

 Painters were born in that division of the country. 



It must, however, after all, be acknowledged* 

 {hat what is called a liberal education in the United 

 States, is, in common, less accurate and complete; 

 the erudition of our native citizens, with some ex- 

 ceptionSj less extensive and profound ; and the 

 works published by American Authors, in general, 

 less learned, instructive* and elegant/ than are 

 found in Great-Britain, and some of the moreen- 

 lightened nations on the Eastern continent. These 

 facts, it is apprehended, arise not from any defici- 

 ency of talents in our country, nor from any inap- 

 titude in its soil or atmosphere to promote the 

 growth of genius; but from one or another, and, 

 in some cases, from a combination of the follow- 

 ing causes. 



1 . Defective plans and means of instruction hi 

 our Seminaries of learning. The great majority 

 of our Colleges have very inadequate funds. The 

 consequence is, that in most of them the Professors 

 are few in n amber, and have assigned to them too 

 large a field of instruction. Hence they can con- 

 vey but very superficial knowledge of the various 

 branches which it is made their duty to teach, and 

 if well qualified themselves, which is far from be- 

 ing always the case, find it impossible to do justice 

 to the pupils. In some instances, also, the Trus- 

 tees or Governors of American Colleges, either 

 from their own ignorance, or in compliance with 

 popular prejudice, have so contracted the time re- 



a It is not meant to be denied that a few of the works published in 

 America are as profound and instructive as any on similar subjects 

 published elsewhere. It is simply intended to give a general character of 

 American publications, liable to such exceptions as the mind of the well' 

 informed reader will readily supply. 



