( 29 ) 
abfolute Fop is a creature almoft below 
contempt. Drefs, in the eye of philofophy, 
is an inconfiderable object; but it is an ob- 
ject of no fmall influence in the opinion of 
mankind. The opinion of the world is of 
great confequence to a young man: on 
ftrangers, propriety or impropriety of drefs, 
make the firft impreflion. Firft impreflions 
are not eafily obliterated j drefs, therefore, 
howfoever infignificant in the abftra6l, be- 
comes an object of importance to every 
member of fociety, particularly to a young 
man on his firft appearance in the great 
world. 
You are become a member, and I hope 
you will prove not an unworthy member, 
of one of the firft Univerfities in Europe; 
and of a college that has produced many 
eminent, very eminent men. But, alas! 
the number of men diftinguifhed for fupe- 
rior knowledge and abilities, is far exceeded 
by the number of drones that have iffued 
from the hive, and have mixed with the illi- 
terate part of mankind, undiftinguifhed and 
forgotten. 
To what caufe mail we attribute this la- 
mentable excefs of ignorance, in the num- 
ber of perfons educated at Oxford and Cam- 
bridge ? 
