THROUGH SWEDEN. 
J 35 
ferent people on the fame fubjed, which fingly might be of little 
ufe; but when colleded and concentrated may lead to important 
confequences: hence enquiries are fet on foot, analogies are dif- 
covered, theories formed, and fcience is enlarged. Befides this, 
it is of great advantage for individuals to be fometimes interrupted 
in the monotonous train of their own ideas, and to have them in¬ 
termingled and varied by the conceptions of others. This ads 
upon the mind as a ftimulus, and produces vigour and acutenefs; 
whereas a dull uniformity flackens its efforts. On the fubjed of 
literary focieties it may be farther obferved, that there is in every 
human creature a defire to be regarded by his fellow-men with 
complacency and refped, and a propenfity to invite the iympathy 
of our neighbours with our emotions of admiration, wonder, fur- 
prize, and averfion. Hence the advantage of pofTeffing a refpect- 
able and congenial circle, ready to attend to our difco series and 
lucubrations, is a powerful incitement to inquiry of various kinds, 
and to conftant and accurate obfervation ; and the w r eight of ftudy 
is relieved by focial delight. But the advantages of fuch focieties 
are not confined to entertainment, or to pleafure mixed with in- 
ftrudion. They likewife have a happy moral effed: they ab- 
ftrad men of leifure from frivolous or pernicious amufements ; 
they fortify every humane fentiment, every virtuous purpofe, and 
every laudable purfuit. Such is the natural tendency of literary 
focieties drawn together, as they at firft commonly are, by private 
friendfhip, limilarity of fentiments, and a genuine defire of infor¬ 
mation and improvement; and it is commonly in their firft ftages 
that 
