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men less frequent, and the literature of the nation in- 

 creased both in mass and in time. 



The parallel between these times and our own, is to 

 be sure, not perfectly just. But the effect of the incor- 

 poration of literature and science at that time, is felt 

 now, and a new and better growth may arise from a re- 

 newal of the connection. 



I have thus endeavored to trace the history of free li- 

 terary associations, and to show their uses in the old 

 world and their probable effects in this. They seem to 

 have arisen with other free institutions, and to a great 

 extent to have contributed to the modifications which the 

 primitive governments of Europe have gradually taken. 

 In France, as I have shown you, they have already be- 

 come a part of the government itself, nor is it improba- 

 ble that such may be the final result in our country. 

 They have contributed to sustain the alliance between 

 science and literature, which is too apt to be interrupted, 

 to forward and mature industry, and to benefit our 

 whole race by improving education. If such have been 

 their effect in the old states of the world, we surely are 

 not wrong in supposing that among us it will be simhif 

 and at least as beneficient. 



