INTRODUCTION. O 



human happiness. The passion for novelty and 

 change, so universal and unceasing, has doubtless 

 often indulged itself at the expense of real good, 

 and substantial enjoyment. 



A wise man, and an inspired writer, has told 

 us, that there is no new thing under the sun. Is 

 there ami thing xvhereof it may be said, See, this is 

 neza F It hath been already of old time, zvliich icas 

 before us. This passage, like many others of a 

 similar kind, is doubtless not to be interpreted as 

 declaring literally, that there never have been, nor 

 ever can be, any schemes, events, or discoveries,, 

 entitled to the appellation of nexv ; but as teach- 

 ing us, in a strong and figurative manner, that the 

 projects and improvements of human genius arc 

 frequently sinking into forgetful n ess, and rising 

 again ; that old systems are daily revived, clothed 

 in new dresses, decorated with new names, and 

 palmed on the world as creatures of modern birth ; 

 and that very few of the boasted efforts of genius,, 

 either in Solomon's days, or at any subsequent 

 period, could be called entirely original. The 

 smallest acquaintance with history is sufficient to 

 convince any one, that this is a just representation. 

 That there are some things peculiar to certain 

 periods and countries, will not be disputed; but 

 that these are fewer in number, and the peculiarity 

 much smaller in degree, than transient observers 

 imagine, is certainly also true. Hence arises a 

 further difficulty in deciding wherein one age dif- 

 fers from another. History is not an instructress 

 sufficiently minute and patient, to enable us always 

 to judge promptly and accurately on this subject. 



'' It affords some astoni'shment," savs a late 



