206 Nations lately become Literary. [Ch. XXVI. 



and led to investigations, to an interchange of 

 opinions, and to a publication of the results of 

 their inquiries, which were never so general be- 

 fore. 



In the Mechanic Arts, so far as respects the in- 

 genuit}^ of individuals, and the important service 

 rendered by numerous inventions and improve- 

 ments, America jaelds to no nation. Perhaps, 

 considering the amount of its population, and 

 the peculiar circumstances of its people, it has 

 furnished even a greater number of these in- 

 ventions and improvements than its just pro- 

 portion. On this subject, as it w^ould be difficult 

 to enter into details without exceeding all con- 

 venient limits j so there can be no doubt that a 

 number of instances, abundantly sufficient to sup- 

 port the assertion here made, will readily occur 

 to every reader. The Quadrant, by Godfrey; 

 the Orrery, by Rittenhouse ; the machinery for 

 manufacturing Cards, by AVhittemore ; and that for 

 manufacturing Fire-arms, by Whitney; form but 

 a very small number of the large list that might 

 be presented. 



Of talents in the Fine Arts, America has been 

 less productive. But w^e have satisfactory evi- 

 dence that this arises not so much from the want 

 of native genius, as from the want of cultivation 

 and encouragement of the genius it possesses. 

 The names of West, Trumbull, , Copley, and Stu- 

 art, are more than suflicient to rescue their coun- 

 try from any imputations of deficiency on this 

 head. 



When we pass on to Theology, the noblest and 

 most important of all sciencesj it wall be found, ■ 



