pinion of his divinity. Upon the whole, comprehending king and fubject, there perhaps never existed more virtue in any other government, whether monarchical or republican.

In Peru there are traces of fome diftinction of ranks, arifing probably from office merely, which, as in France, were a bulwark to the monarch against the peasants. The great fuperiority not admit a heredita

of the Peruvian Incas, as demi-gods, did ry nobility.

With respect to the progrefs of arts and manufactures, the two nations differed widely: in Mexico, arts and manufactures were carried to a furprising height, confidering the tools they had to work with: in Peru, they had made no progress, every man, as among mere savages, providing the neceffaries of life for himself. As the world goes at prefent, fuch numbers are employ'd upon our multiplied wants, that not above one of a hundred can be fpared for war. In ancient times, when these wants were few, and not much enlarged beyond nature, it is computed that an eighth part could be spared for war: and hence the numerous armies we read of in the history of ancient nations. The Peruvians had it in their power to go still farther: it was poffible to arm the whole males capable of fervice: leaving the women to fupply the few neceffaries that might be wanted during a fhort campaign; and accordingly we find that the Incas were great conquerors.

The religion of the Peruvians, confidered in a political light, was excellent. The veneration they paid their fovereign upon a falfe religious principle, was their only fuperftition; and that fuperftition contributed greatly to improve their morals and their manners: on the other hand, the religion of Mexico was abominable.

Upon the whole, there never was a country destitute of iron, where arts feem to have been carried higher than in Mexico; and,

VOL. II.

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bating

bating their religion, there never was a country destitute of writing, where government seems to have been more perfect. I except not the government of Peru, which, not being founded on political principles, but on fuperftition, might be more mild, but was far from being fo folidly founded.

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Morality, theology, and the art of reasoning, are three great branches of a learned education; and are justly held to be so, because they are our only fure guides in paffing through the intricate paths of life. They are indeed not effential to thofe termed men of the world: the most profound philofopher makes but an infipid figure in fashionable company; would be fomewhat ridiculous at a court-ball; and an abfolute abfurdity among the gamefters at Arthur's, or jockeys at Newmarket.

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Newmarket. But, thefe cogent objections notwithstanding, I venture to pronounce fuch ftudies to be not altogether unfuitable to a gentleman, Man is a creature full of curiofity; and to gratify that appetite, many roam through the world, fubmitting to heat and cold, nay to hunger and thirst, without a figh. Could indeed that troublesome guest be expelled, we might hug ourselves in ignorance; and, like true men of the world, undervalue knowledge, that can neither procure money, nor a new fenfual pleafure. But, alas! the expulfion is not in the power of every one; and those who have not that power, will probably think it not amifs, to employ their curiofity upon ftudies that make them good members of fociety, and endear them to every person of virtue.

And were we even men of the world in fuch perfection, as to regard nothing but our own intereft; yet does not ignorance lay us open to the crafty and defigning? and does not the art of reasoning guard many an honest man from being misled by fubtle fophifms? With respect to right and wrong, not even paffion is more dangerous than error. And as to religion, better it were to fettle in a conviction that there is no God, than to be in a state of wavering and fluctuation; fometimes indulging every loofe defire, as if we were not accountable beings; and Jometimes yielding to fuperftitious fears, as if there were no god but the devil. To a well-difpofed mind, the existence of a fupreme benevolent Deity, appears highly probable: and if happily the ftudy of theology lead us to a conviction that there really is fuch a being; the conviction will be a fource of conftant enjoyment, which I boldly fet above the titillating pleafures of external fenfe. Poffibly there may be less prefent amusement in abstract ftudies, than in news-papers, in party-pamphlets, or in Hoyl upon Whift: but let us for a moment anticipate futurity, and imagine that we are reviewing paft tranfactions, how pleasant the retrospect of those who have maintained the dignity of their nature, and employ'd their talents to the best purposes!

Contradictory opinions that have influence on practice, will be regretted by every perfon of a found heart; and as erroneous opinions are com

monly

monly the refult of imperfect education, I would gladly hope, that a remedy is not altogether out of reach. At the rivival of arts and Sciences, the learned languages were our fole ftudy, because in them were locked up all the treasures of useful knowledge. This ftudy has long ago ceafed to be the chief object of education; and yet the original plan is handed down to us with very little variation. Wishing to contribute to a more perfect fyftem of education, I prefent to the public the following fketches. The books that have been published upon morality, theology, and the art of reafoning, are not eminent either for fimplicity, or for clear ideas. To introduce thefe into the fubjects mentioned, is my aim; with what fuccefs, is chearfully submitted to the judgement of others. The hiftorical part, hitherto much neglected, is necessary as a branch of my general plan; and I am hopeful, that befide inftruction, it will contribute to recreation, which, in abstract ftudies, is no lefs necessary than pleasant.

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