Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

THE fphere of the Sciences has been greatly enlarged by.
the discoveries of the moderns-ROGER BACON-COPERNICUS
-GALILEO-KEPLER-HUYGENS TORICELLI-LORD BA
CON-BOYLE HERSCHEL. The most able interpreter of the
Laws of Nature was NEWTON-Sketch of his discoveries-His
Character contrafted with that of DESCARTES. The proper fub.
ordination of Science to polite Literature in a general Syftem
of Education. Union of both in the eminent Students of the
Univerfity of Cambridge.
P. 90-109.

THE WORKS OF NATURE.

THE furvey of the Works of Nature is an employment
highly useful and delightful. The refearches of Naturalifts are
directed to, I. ANIMALS; II. VEGETABLES; III. MINERALS."
The comparative nature of Man. The inftinct of Animals-
the admirable care of Nature in their structure and prefervation
Her prolific power in the production of organized Bodies

appears to be boundlefs. The Organs of Animals adapted to

their convenience and prefervation-illuftrated by the formation

of the Eye. Profpect of the dominion of Man over the inferior

Animals. Some parts of the Creation apparently inconfiftent

with the benevolence of Nature, and yet may be reconciled to

her general economy.
P. 110-138.

CHAP. V.

CLASS V.

POLITE LITERATURE AND THE FINE ARTS.

CHAP. I.
TASTE.

DEFINITION of Tafte-Its principles are implanted in every mind diftinguished by good fenfe. Tafte is capable of high cultivation-Its proper Limits and Standard. Indivi. duals, as well as Nations, improve their Tafte, in proportion to the progrefs of Knowledge and Refinement. P. 176-200.

CHAP. II.

THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.

THE Character of a Critic who is a Man of Tafte.-Examples-HORACE-QUINTILIAN-VIDA-ADDISON-SPENCELOWTH-THE WARTONS-GRAY-REYNOLDS- -WINKLEMAN.--The chief Provinces of Tafte-I. MUSIC. II. PAINTING. III. POETRY. The Beauties of the CLASSICS. pleasures which refult from the exercise of a refined Taste. P. 201-228.

CLASS VI.

The

THE SOURCES OF OUR NATIONAL PROSPERITY, &c. СНАР. І.

AGRICULTURE

HAS been efteemed an object of great importance by dif tinguished perfons both in ancient and modern times. Eminent Writers upon the fubject--Hefiod-Xenophon, &c.-It has been moft flourishing in the foil of liberty-gradually improved as old errors have been exploded, and new experiments tried, and adopted. The beft method of forming general principles upon this fubject. Population is limited by the means of fubfiftence. The character and relative importance of the HUSBANDMAN. The general advantages of Agriculture-Its fuperiority to Commerce as a fource of national good, and permanent power. P. 229-250.

CHAP. II.

THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.

THE ftate of Agriculture in ENGLAND compared with that of FRANCE, IRELAND, and AMERICA. Caufes of the fuperi.

[ocr errors][merged small]

ority of England. Plans of farther Improvevement fuggefted. All other Arts are inferior in point of utility to that of caufing the Earth to bring forth a copious produce for the fupport of Mankind. P. 251-265.

CHAP. III.

COMMERCE.

THE extenfive profpect of Industry exerted in every part of Great Britain excites our curiofity to inquire into, I. The Advantages. II. The Principles. III. The comparative State of Commerce. The natural advantages of the Island of Great Britain as a commercial Country have been gradually improved by great public works. The influence of Commerce upon Agriculture. Character of the ENGLISH MERCHANT. The methods which have been adopted for the promotion of Commerce. A Comparison between the prefent and former State of England proves the beneficial effects of Commerce-The obftacles opposed to its farther improvement may be removed.Great Britain fuperior to moft Countries in the requifite means for a widely-extended Commerce. P. 267-299.

CHAP. IV.

FOREIGN TRAVEL.

ITS chief advantages. The qualifications neceffary for a Gentleman who vifits foreign Countries. The Curiofities of his own Island to be previously viewed. Bad effects of going abroad too young. Hafte in paffing through different Countries, and Ignorance of foreign Languages cenfured. Eminent modern Travellers-GRAY-HOWARD-SIR JOSEPH BANKS-SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON MOORE-YOUNG. The Traveller gratifies his tafte by treading on claffic ground. He vifits places celebrated in the writings, and diftinguished by the actions of the Ancients. He views the ancient and modern Specimens of the fine Arts Architecture-Sculpture-Medals -- Pictures -Books. He inveftigates the State of Government,-Religion Commerce-Agriculture, &c. and remarks their combined effects upon the Manners, Cuftoms, and Profperity of Nations. Cautions against the adoption of the dangerous opinions, which prevail abroad upon Subjects of Religion and Government. The general refult of his travels fhown by their beneficial influence upón his Opinions and Conduct. P. 300-331.

CHAP.

THE

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Levia quidem hæc, & parvi forte fi per fe fpectentur momenti; fed ex ELEMENTIS conftant, ex principiis oriuntur omnia; & ex judicii confuetudine in rebus minutis adhibita, pendet fæpifimè etiam in maximis vera atque accurata Scientia.

CLARKE PRÆF. IN ILIAD

To feparate fome of the most useful and the most beautiful parts from the great mafs of human knowledge; to arrange them in fuch regular order, that they may be infpected with ease, and varied at pleasure; and to recommend them to the careful examination of young men who are ftudiously difpofed, conftitute the defign of the Author of this work.

It is likewife his object to make the most useful topics of literature familiar and eafy to general Readers, who have not had the advantage of a learned education.

The more he reflects upon the PRESENT STATE OF SOCIETY, the VARIOUS FACULTIES of the mind, and the GREAT ADVANTAGES which arife from acquiring an AMPLE FUND OF VALUABLE IDEAS,

VOL. I.

B

the

« VorigeDoorgaan »