426 Recapitulation. 



dead languages, and presented in a plain and po- 

 pular dress. Booksellers, more rich, active and en- 

 terprizing than they were a century ago, now find 

 it their interest to scatter books in every direction, 

 and to convey some knowledge of them to every 

 door. Libraries have become far more numerous, 

 and are placed on a more popular footing than for- 

 merly. Circulating Libraries' have been intro- 

 duced during this period, and have contributed 

 greatly to extend the taste and the means of read- 

 ing ; and, finally, periodical publications, and a va- 

 riety of other small works, which might be pro- 

 cured at a trifling expense, and understood by 

 moderate capacities, or with little previous infor- 

 mation, broke down the large masses of science 

 and learning, presented their component materials 

 in small and convenient portions, and thus fitted 

 them to be received by every mind. 



9. But, notwithstanding the wonderful multi- 

 plication of books, the last century may, with pro- 

 priety be styled, the age of superficial learn- 

 ing. Erudition, strictly so called, has been evi- 

 dently on the decline, from the commencement 

 of this period to ite termination. The number of 

 readers, indeed, and of those who assume to them- 

 selves the title of literary men, was doubtless far 

 greater at the close of the century than ever before, 

 since reading was known : but the number of the 

 truly and profoundly learned was perhaps never so 

 small, in proportion to the whole number who 

 rank with men of letters and science. This is 

 probably owing, in a great measure, to the fol- 

 lowing circumstances. 



The artificial, luxurious, and dissolute character 



e Circulating Libraries, it is believed, were first instituted in the eigh- 

 teenth century. The first establishment of this kind in London was 

 commenced by one Wright, a bookseller, about the year 1740. In 1800 

 the number of these Libraries in Great-Britain was not less than one 

 thousand. 



