316 Recapitulation. 



these respects, during the period under review, 

 was so great and signal, that it must be consider- 

 ed as forming a remarkable feature of the age. — • 

 Translations, from every polished language, into 

 every other of this character, have not only be- 

 come numerous, but have also attained, particu- 

 larly within the last fifty years, a degree of re- 

 finement and excellence never before known. 

 Versions of the Greek and Roman Classics have 

 especially abounded during the period in que- 

 stion. And though this circumstance has con- 

 tributed to render some knowledge of those great 

 works of antiquity more popular, it has also been 

 connected with the decline of classic literature, 

 which was before mentioned. As elegant ver- 

 sions increased in number and circulation, it was 

 natural that the originals should become gradu- 

 ally more neglected. 



The number and excellence of modern trans- 

 lations may be considered as removing one of the 

 impediments which bar the way to science, and 

 as diminishing the inconvenience arising from the 

 multiplicity of languages. But the length to 

 which this practice is now carried will probably 

 be found to discourage the study of languages, 

 to diminish literary industry, and of course to 

 render knowledge still more superficial. 



14. The last century may further be denomi- 

 nated THE AGE OF LITERARY HONOURS. The 

 practice of conferring the honours of literary in- 

 necessary to add, that since that time many specimens of trans* 

 lation have been presented to the world which are altogether 

 unequalled in the history of preceding ages. 



