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to the great Design of pleafing by Inftruction, than any which has hitherto been admitted into our Seminaries of Literature. There are not indeed wanting in the World Compendiums of Science, but many were written at a Time when Philosophy was imperfect, as that of G. Valla; many contain only naked Schemes, or Synoptical Tables, as that of Stierius; and others are too large and voluminous, as that of Alftedius; and, what is not to be confidered as the leaft Objection, they are generally in a Language, which, to Boys, is more difficult than the Subject; 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 harraffed with unneceffary Obstructions, 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 Schools might have been supplied 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 Science there was not fome Treatife written for the Ufe 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 Systems.

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This Search was not wholly without Succefs; for two Authors were found, whofe 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 Subjects 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 ben executed, the Learned World is now to determine. But before Sentence fhall pafs, it is proper to explain more fully what has been intended, that Cenfure may not be incurred by the Omiffion of that which the original Plan did not comprehend; to declare more particularly who they are to whofe Inftruction thefe Treatifes pretend, that a Charge of Arrogance and Prefumption may be obviated; to lay down the Reasons which directed the Choice of the feveral Subjects; and to explain more minutely the Manner in which each particular Part of thefe Volumes is to be used.

The Title has already declared, that thefe Volumes are particularly intended for the Ufe of Schools, and therefore it has been the Care of the Authors to explain the feveral Sciences, of which they have treated, in the most fa

miliar Manner; for the Mind used only to common Expreffions, and inaccurate Ideas, does not fuddenly conform itself to scholaftic Modes of Reasoning, or conceive the nice Distinctions of a fubtile Philosophy, and may be properly initiated in fpeculative Studies by an Introduction like this, in which the Groffness of vulgar Conception is avoided, without the Obfervation of Metaphyfical Exactnefs. It is obferved, that in the Course of the natural World no Change is inftantaneous, but all its Viciffitudes are gradual and flow; the Motions of Intellect proceed in the like imperceptible Progreffion, and proper Degrees of Tranfition from one Study to another are therefore neceffary; but let it not be charged upon the Writers of this Book, that they intended to exhibit more than the Dawn of Knowledge, or pretended to raise in the Mind any nobler Product than the Bloffoms of Science, which more powerful Inftitutions may ripen into Fruit.

For this Reason it must not be expected, that in the following Pages fhould be found a complete Circle of the Sciences; or that any Authors, now deservedly esteemed, should 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 Ne-ceffaries. The Enquiry therefore was not what Degrees of Knowledge are defirable, but what

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are in most Stations of Life indispensably requir ed; and the Choice was determined not by the Splendor of any Part of Literature, but by the Extent of its Ufe, 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 Tnoughts 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 observed, that they are frequently wanted for the Embellishment even of Learning?

In order to fhew the proper ufe of this Part, which confifts of various Exemplifications of fuch Differences of Stile as require correfpondent Diverfities of Pronunciation, it will be proper to inform the Scholar, that there are in general three Forms of Stile, each of which demands it particular Mode of Elocution: the Familiar, the Solemn, and the Pathetic. 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

Liberties of Voice, as when he reads the common Articles of a News-Paper, News-Paper, or a curfory Letter of Intelligence or Bufinefs. That the Solemn Stile, fuch as that of a serious Narrative, exacts an uniform Steadinefs of Speech, equal, clear, and calm. That for the Pathetic, fuch as an animated Oration, it is neceffary the Voice be regulated by the Senfe, varying and rifing with the Paffions. Thefe Rules, which are the most general, admit a great Number of fubordinate Obfervations, which must be particularly adapted to every Scholar; 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 ftrongly to every Scholar the Danger of copying the Voice of another; an Attempt, which though it has been often repeated, is always unsuccessful.

The Importance of writing Letters with Propriety juftly claims to be confider'd with Care, fince next to the Power of pleafing with his Prefence, every Man would wish to be able to give Delight at a Distance. This great Art hould be diligently taught, the rather, because of thofe Letters which are most useful, and by which the general Business of Life is transacted, there are no Examples cafily to be found. It feems the general Fault of those who undertake this Part of Education, that they propofe for the Exercife of their Scholars, Occafions which rarely happen; fuch as Congratulations and Condolances, and neglet thofe without which Life cannot VOL. I. proceed.

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