78 Liierary Journals. [ChaP. XXL 



tention to the progress of literature than any for- 

 mer period couhl boast. They have diffused a 

 knowledge of books, a taste for reading, and a 

 spirit of curiosity and criticism, more widely than 

 Was ever before known, and among a portion of 

 mankind which had never before been reached 

 ])}' such a taste. ^Vhen well conducted, they have 

 served to correct public opinion \ to lay a salu- 

 tary restraint on adventurers in literature ; to 

 present a powerful and useful check to the licen- 

 tiousness of the press ; and to furnish rich mate- 

 rials for the history of human knowledge. Tt is 

 true, these publications, which should be guides 

 of popular opinion, are often partial, and some- 

 times grossly erroneous. Written by a number 

 of different persons, and of course with different 

 abilities, opinions, passions,- and prejudices, the 

 judgements they express can seldom be admitted 

 w ithout cautious inquiry and modification. Still, 

 however, though the learned must ultimately 

 judge for themselves, yet even ilicy derive benefit 

 from literary journals tolerably conducted ^ and 

 their influence upon the great mass of those who 

 occasionally read is extensive and important. 

 If it be objected that the knowledge they diffuse 

 is superficial, it is what multitudes would never 

 attain if this means of bringing it within their 

 reach were Wanting; and that it is no better than 

 total ignorance, none will presume to contend. 



There is another class of publications nearly 

 allied to literary journals, and by the multiplica- 

 tion of which the eighteenth century is much di- 

 stinguished, the Transactions of Academies and 

 Philosophical Societies. Publications of this kind- 



