430 Recapitulation . 



state of the various branches of human knowledge 

 and art, during the period in question. 



In the physical sciences it might be shown, that, 

 though great and splendid discoveries have been 

 made in this period, much more has been done 

 in pursuing former discoveries, in extending the 

 limits of principles before established, in forming 

 systems of classification, arrangement, and nomen- 

 clature> and in conferring beauty and elegance on 

 every part. In the Mechanic Arts also, inventions 

 have been made highly honourable to the genius 

 of the age; but the improvements in simplicity, 

 convenience, accuracy, and exquisite nicety of 

 workmanship, are far more numerous, and more 

 strikingly characteristic of the age/ But, perhaps, 

 to Polite Literature this general remark may be ap- 

 plied with still more confidence, and to a greater 

 extent. The poets and historians of the eighteenth 

 century have the advantage of all their predeces- 

 sors in no respect so decidedly as in uniform cor- 

 rectness, polish, and taste. In a word, the Mas- 

 ter Builders in the temple of knowledge, during 

 this period, have been, perhaps, fewer in number 

 than in several preceding centuries ; but neither 

 the number nor the success of those who busied 

 themselves in extending, polishing, and adorning 

 the fabric, was ever so great. 



This feature of the last age remarkably appears 

 in the state of what may be called the mechanical 

 part of literature. The refined, elegant, and ex- 

 pensive manner in which books have been for some 

 time printed and decorated, more especially within 



i It cannot be denied, that some articles of ancient manufacture which 

 have come down to our times, discover an exquisite polish and elegance 

 of workmanship, which we seldom find exceeded, perhaps not equalled 

 at the present day. But that the Mechanic Arts, in general, reached a de- 

 gree of improvement in the eighteenth century, which they could never 

 before boast, particularly in simplicity, convenience and beauty, it is pr« k - 

 >umed that none will hesitate to admit. 



