THE CLASSICS. YOUTH, who are intended for the higher employments of life, should be carefully instructed in the true principles of virtue and honour; and, at the same time, perfected as well in the ancient as in the modern languages; by which means they will be qualified for the most important concerns of the state, and enabled to distinguish themselves when their country shail and the exertion of their talents. To those, therefore, who are emulous' to form a correct taste, and desirous of cultivating their genius, let me warmly recommend the acuous study of the ancient classics, both Greek and Roman; without a considerable acquaintance with which no man can be reckoned a polite scholar; besides he will want hiany assistances for writing, and speaking well, which the knowledge of such authors would afford him. And in all countries it is in proportion, I believe, as the classics are studied and admired, neglected or contemned, that good taste, and good composition will flourish or decline. The excellent writings of the Greeks and Romans, which, with deserved veneration, have, through so many ages, been handed down to us, are finished and noble patterns of learning and politeness. It is that wonderful scope of genius and invention, that uniform propriety of sentiment, and purity of expression, together with a superior neglect of all ornament, but such as is manly and becoming, which give their compositions such a dignity throughout, as, at the same time, that they B ་ |