244 Nations lately become Literary. [Ch. XXVI. 



and example, a new degree of attention to the 

 fcest writers in their own language, and to the 

 graces af composition. The change, however, 

 was carried to a greater length than its enlighten- 

 ed authors intended or approved. Designing only 

 to raise the study of polite literature to its proper 

 station, it soon began to usurp the place of the 

 more abstruse sciences, and of the ancient lan- 

 guages; which, though still studied with conside- 

 rable care, have perhaps never since fully regain- 

 ed their former station in that seminar}^ 



The arrival of Dr. Witherspoon * in America, 

 from North Britain, is entitled to notice among 

 the events which contributed to the advancement 

 of literature .ind science in that country. It is not 

 to be supposed, that a mind so vigorous, enlight- 



* Dr. John Witherspoon was born at Yester^ near Edinburgh, 

 February 5, 1722. After being settled in the Gospel ministry, 

 for upwards of twenty years, in North Britain, he came to Ameri- 

 ca in 1768, and continued to preside over the college of New 

 Jersey from that time till his death in 17&4-. Whether we con- 

 sider Dr. Witherspoon as a divine, a statesman, or the head of a 

 literary institution, his talents and usefulness present themselves- 

 in a very conspicuous light. Scarcely any man of the age had a 

 nriore vigorous mind, or a more sound practical understanding; 

 and though many hav£ had more learning, yet a mass of informa- 

 tion better selected, or more thoroughly digested, than that which 

 he possessed, is rarely to be found. — See an excellent Sermon 

 preached on the occasion of hi* death by the rev. Dr. Rodgers, 

 of New York, ^vhich contains a comprehensive and ably drawn 

 character of the deceased. — Though the largest and most valua- 

 ble part of Dr. Witherspoon's writings -was published before he 

 left Britain, yet he wrote and published much after his removal to- 

 America. Mr.W. W.Woodward, of Philadelphia, has lately ren- 

 dered important service to the cause of religion and literature, by 

 collecting the whole of his works, and presentingtwo editions of 

 fhem to tber American pubHc. 



