and it is too hard a task to be condemned to learn a new science in an unknown tongue. As in life, fo in study, it is dangerous to do more things than one at a time; and the mind is not to be haraffed with unneceffary obftructions, in a way, of which the natural and unavoidable afperity is fuch as too frequently produces despair.

If the language however had been the only objection to any of the volumes already extant, the fchools might have been fupplied at a small expence by a tranflation; but none could be found that was not fo defective, redundant, or erroneous, as to be of more danger than ufe. It was neceffary then to examine, whether upon every fingle fcience there was not fome treatife written for the use of scholars, which might be adapted to this defign, fo that a collection might be made from different authors, without the neceffity of writing new fyftems. This fearch was not wholly without fuccefs; for two authors were found, whose performances might be admitted with little alteration. But fo widely does this plan differ from all others, fo much has the state of many kinds of learning been changed, or fo unfortunately have they hitherto been cultivated, that none of the other fubjects were explained in fuch a manner as was now required; and therefore neither care nor expence has been fpared to obtain new lights, and procure to this book the merit of an original.

With what judgment the design has been formed, and with what skill it has been executed, the learned world is now to determine. But before sentence fhall pafs, it is proper to explain more fully what

scholar, that there are in general three forms of ftyle, each of which demands its particular mode of elocution: the familiar, the folemn, and the pathetick. That in the familiar, he that reads is only to talk with a paper in his hand, and to indulge himself in all the lighter liberties of voice, as when he reads the common articles of a newspaper, or a curfory letter of intelligence or bufinefs. That the folemn ftyle, fuch as that of a ferious narrative, exacts an uniform fteadiness of speech, equal, clear, and calin. That for the pathetick, fuch as an animated oration, it is neceffary the voice be regulated by the fenfe, varying and rifing with the paffions. Thefe rules, which are the moft generai, admit a great number of fubordinate obfervations, which muft be particularly adapted to every fcholar; for it is obfervable, that though very few read well, yet every man errs in a different way. But let one remark never be omitted: inculcate frongly to every fcholar the danger of copying the voice of another; an attempt which, though it has Leen often repeated, is always unfuccefsful.

The importance of writing letters with propriety juftly claims to be confidered with care, fince, next to the power of pleafing with his prefence, every man would wish to be able to give delight at a diftance. This great art fhould be diligently taught, the rather, becaufe of thofe letters which are most ufeful, and by which the general bufinefs of life is tranfacted, there are no examples eafily to be found. It feems the general fault of thofe who undertake this part of education, that they propofe for the exercife of their fcholars, occafions which rarely

happens

For this reafon it must not be expected, that in the following pages fhould be found a complete circle of the fciences; or that any authors, now defervedly esteemed, fhould be rejected to make way for what is here offered. It was intended by the means of thefe precepts, not to deck the mind with ornaments, but to protect it from nakednefs; not to enrich it with affluence, but to fupply it with neceffaries. The enquiry therefore was not what degrees of knowledge are defirable, but what are in most stations of life indifpenfably required; and the choice was determined not by the fplendor of any part of literature, but by the extent of its use, and the inconvenience which its neglect was likely to produce.

I. The prevalence of this confideration appears in the first part, which is appropriated to the humble purposes of teaching to read, and speak, and write letters; an attempt of little magnificence, but in which no man needs to blush for having employed his time, if honour be estimated by ufe. For precepts of this kind, however neglected, extend their importance as far as men are found who communicate their thoughts one to another; they are equally useful to the highest and the lowest; they may often contribute to make ignorance lefs inelegant; and may it not be obferved, that they are frequently wanted for the embellishment even of learning?

In order to fhew the proper use of this part, which confifts of various exemplifications of fuch differences of ftyle as require correfpondent diverfities of pronunciation, it will be proper to inform the fcholar,

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improper. By this method the fcholar will become cautious and attentive, and the mafter will know with certainty the degree of his proficiency. Yet, though this rule is generally right, I cannot but recommend a precept of Pardie's, that when the student cannot be made to comprehend fome particular part, it fhould be, for that time, laid afide, till new light fhall arife from fubfequent obfervation.

When this compendium is completely understood, the fcholar may proceed to the perufal of Tacquet, afterwards of Euclid himself, and then of the modern improvers of geometry, fuch as Barrow, Keil, and Sir Ifaac Newton.

III. The neceffity of fome acquaintance with geography and aftronomy will not be difputed. If the pupil is born to the cafe of a large fortune, no part of learning is more neceffary to him than the knowledge of the fituation of nations, on which their interefts generally depend; if he is dedicated to any of the learned profeffions, it is fcarcely poffible that he will not be obliged to apply himself in fome part of his life to thefe ftudies, as no other branch of literature can be fully comprehended without them; if he is defigned for the arts of commerce or agriculture, fome general acquaintance with thefe fciences will be found extremely useful to him; in a word, no ftudies afford more extenfive, more wonderful, or more pleafing scenes; and therefore there can be no ideas impreffed upon the foul, which can more conduce to its future entertainment.

happen; fuch as congratulations and condolences, and neglect thofe without which life cannot proceed. It is poffible to pass many years without the neceffity of writing panegyricks or epithalamiums; but every man has frequent occafion to ftate a contract, or demand a debt, or make a narrative of fome minute incidents of common life. On these fubjects, therefore, young perfons should be taught to think justly, and write clearly, neatly, and fuccinctly, left they come from fchool into the world without any acquaintance with common affairs, and ftand idle fpectators of mankind, in expectation that fome great event will give them an opportunity to exert their rhetorick.

II. The fecond place is affigned to geometry; on the usefulness of which it is unneceffary to expatiate in an age when mathematical ftudies have fo much engaged the attention of all claffes of men. This treatise is one of thofe which have been borrowed, being a tranflation from the work of Mr. Le Clerc; and is not intended as more than the firft initiation. In delivering the fundamental principles of geometry, it is neceffary to proceed by flow fteps, that each propofition may be fully understood before another is attempted. For which purpose it is not fufficient, that when a question is asked in the words of the book, the fcholar likewife can in the words of the book return the proper anfwer; for this may be only an act of memory, not of understanding: it is always proper to vary the words of the question, to place the propofition in different points of view, and to require of the learner an explanation in his own terms, informing him however when they are improper.