Recapitulation . 42 \ 



tient thinking; and each work will be studied 

 with less attention and care. It may further be 

 observed, that the abridgements/ compilations, 

 epitomes/ synopses, and selections which are daily 

 pouring from the press in countless numbers, and 

 which make so large a part of modern publica- 

 tions, have a tendency to divert the mind from 

 the treasures of ancient knowledge, and from the 

 volumes of original authors/ Thus, the multipli- 

 citv of new publications, while they w T ould seem 

 at first view, highly favourable to the acquisition 

 of learning, are found, as will be afterwards more 

 fullv shown, hostile to deep and sound erudition. 



The allurements to authorship which the modern 

 state of literature holds out, also lead to another 

 evil, viz. the hasty production of books. The no- 

 num prematur in annum of former times, has been 

 too generally disregarded or forgotten by late 

 writers. Authors, instead of holding their works 

 under the polishing hand of criticism for many 

 years, are now tempted prematurely to hasten be- 

 fore the public. We have lately heard of an Epic 

 Poem, nearly as long as the Paradise Lost, com- 

 posed in gix zveeks! and of writers on the most im- 

 portant and difficult subjects, running a race with 

 the press. The mischiefs arising from such rapi- 



a Never was there an age in which the abridgement of voluminous works 

 was carried to so great and mischievous a length as in the eighteenth cen- 

 tury. This mode of treating a prclix writer may, in some cases, be jus- 

 tified; but, in general, it deserves to be reprobated as a practice both pre- 

 sumptuous and unfair. Dr. Johnson often spoke of this practice in terms 

 of warm and just indignation. Once, in particular, hearing a friend ob- 

 serve, that " abridging a good book was like presenting a cow with her 

 head and tail cut oif," he replied, with equal wit and seventy — " No, Sir, 

 it is making a cokv to have a calf." 



b " Epitomes are the moths and corruptions of history, that have fret- 

 ted and corroded the sound bodies of many excellent histories, and wrought 

 them into base and unprofitable dregs." Bacon. 



c " It is observed," says Dr. Johnson, " that a corrupt society has 

 many laws; I know not whether it is not equally true, that an ignorant 

 age has viany booh. When compilers and plagiaries are encouraged, the 

 treasures of ancient knowledge will lie unexamined, and original authors 

 wiil be neglected and forgotten." 



