.316 



mind, and whose words I now use in saying I shall not apologize 

 for these extracts, nor for the reflections to which they naturally 

 lead. Sir William Jones is a host on the present occasion; as 

 such I take the liberty of bringing him forward, without discrimi- 

 nating which are immediately his own sentiments, or which are the 

 words of his noble commentator. The names of Sir William Jones 

 and Lord Teignmoulh should not be separated ; nor could I hold 

 myself excusable did I not call in the aid of such champions, and 

 shield myself under their panoply. 



It was a remark of Sir William Jones, that if life were not too 

 short for the complete discharge of all our respective duties, public 

 and private, and for the acquisition even of necessary knowledge 

 in any degree of perfection, with how much pleasure and improve- 

 ment might a great part of it be spent in admiring the beauties of 

 this wonderful orb, and contemplating the nature of man in all its 

 varieties. — But his thoughts and attention were not confined to the 

 perishable concerns of this world only ; and what was the subject 

 of his meditations in health, was more forcibly impressed upon his 

 mind during illness. He knew the duty of resignation to the 

 will of his Maker, and of dependance on the meiits of a Re- 

 deemer. 



" If we sometimes suffer the humiliation of seeing great talents 

 and extensive erudition prostituted to infidelity, and employed in 

 propagating misery, by endeavouring to subvert the basis of our 

 temporal and eternal welfare, we cannot but feel a more than com- 

 mon gratification at the salutary union of true genius and piety. 

 Learning, that wantons in irreligion, may, like the Sirius of Homer, 

 flash its strong light upon us; but though brilliant, it is baneful; 



