298 ■ Recapitulation. 



tion of science, nor even with a leading view 

 to^dvaace th^ir own repiAation, but for the mar- 

 ket. Swarms of book-makers by profession arose, 

 who inquired, not whether the subjects which 

 theyiundertook to discuss stood in need of further 

 invcistigation ; or whether, they were able to do 

 them more ample justice than their predecessors; 

 but whether more books might not.be palmed up- 

 on the public, and made a source of emolument 

 to the authors. Hence, there were probably more 

 books published in the eighteenth century, than 

 in the whole time that had before elapsed since 

 the art of printing was discovered ; perhaps more 

 than were ever presented to the public, either in 

 manuscript, or from the press, since the creation. 

 This unprecedented and wonderful multiplica- 

 tion of books, while it has rendered the means of 

 information more easy of access, and more popu- 

 lar, has also served to perplex the mind of the 

 student, to divide his attention, and to distract 

 his powers. Where there are so many books, 

 there will be less deep, original, and patient 

 .thinking; and each work will be studied with 

 Jess attention and care. It may further be ob- 

 served, that the abridgements*, compilations, epi- 



* Never v\as there an age in which the abridgement of volu- 

 juinous works was carried to so great and mischievous a length 

 a? in .the eighteenth century. This mode of treating a prolix 

 WTiter may, in some cases, be justified ; but, in general, it de- 

 serves to be reprobated as a practice both presumptuous and un- 

 fair. Dr. Johnson often spoke of this practice in terms of warrai 

 and just indignation. Once, in particular, hearing a friend ob- 

 serve, tliat " abridging a good book was like presenting a cow 

 .with jbier head and tail cut off," he replied, with equal wit an<i 



severity, *' No, sir, it is making a cow to have a calf.'* 



• ",.- •. ^ ^■■^'<=.jnm, [f.Mjijno fodjs.bjj t;. 



