were written; a practice in no wise to be imitated by who want for no materials; of which we shall choo those we think best for the particular circumstances times and things, and most instructing and entertaini to the reader.

Of the different methods which present themselve upon the first view of the great heaps of pamphle which the Harleian Library exhibits, the two whi merit most attention are, to distribute the treatises a cording to their subjects, or their dates; but neither these ways can be conveniently followed. By rangin our collection in order of time, we must necessarily pul lish those pieces first, which least engage the curiosi of the bulk of mankind; and our design must fall the ground, for want of encouragement, before it can b so far advanced as to obtain general regard: by con fining ourselves for any long time to any single subjec we shall reduce our readers to one class; and as w shall lose all the grace of variety, shall disgust all thos who read chiefly to be diverted. There is likewise on objection of equal force, against both these methods that we shall preclude ourselves from the advantage any future discoveries; and we cannot hope to assembl at once all the pamphlets which have been writte in any age, or on any subject.

It may be added, in vindication of our intended prac tice, that it is the same with that of Photius, whose col lections are no less miscellaneous than ours; and who declares, that he leaves it to his reader, to reduce his extracts under their proper heads.

Most of the pieces which shall be offered in this collection to the publick, will be introduced by short prefaces, in which will be given some account of the reasons for which they are inserted; notes will be sometimes adjoined, for the explanation of obscure passages, or obsolete expressions; and care will be taken to mingle use and pleasure through the whole collection. Notwithstanding every subject may not be relished by every reader; yet the buyer may be assured that each number will repay his generous subscription.

E SUBJECT OF MR. POPES'S ESSAYS ON MAN. a Letter to the Editor of the Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. XIII. 1743.

URBAN,

d not be found useless in the learned world, if en controversies, as in oral disputations, a modeuld be selected, who might in some degree sud the debate, restrain all needless excursions, all personal reflections, and at last recapitulate ments on each side; and who, though he should me the province of deciding the question, might exhibit it in its true state.

eflection arose in my mind upon the consideraIr. Crousaz's Commentary on the Essay on Man, Warburton's Answer to it. The importance of ect, the reputation and abilities of the controverd perhaps the ardour with which each has ened to support his cause, have made an attempt ind necessary for the information of the greatber of Mr. Pope's readers.

g the duties of a moderator, I have mentioned ecalling the disputants to the subject, and cuthe excrescences of a debate, which Mr. Crousaz suffer to be long unemployed, and the repression nal invectives which have not been very carefuld on either part; and are less excusable, because t been proved, that either the poet, or his com, wrote with any other design than that of proappiness by cultivating reason and piety. Warburton has indeed so much depressed the chahis adversary, that before I consider the controween them, I think it necessary to exhibit some s of Mr. Crousaz's sentiments, by which it will be shewn, that he is far from deserving either on or contempt; that his notions are just, hey are sometimes introduced without necessilefended when they are not opposed; and that ies and parts are such as may entitle him to reFrom those who think his criticisms superfluous. нь

In page 35 of the English translation, he exhibits an observation which every writer ought to impress upon his mind, and which may afford a sufficient apology for his commentary.

On the notion of a ruling passion he offers this remark: Nothing so much hinders men from obtaining a com'plete victory over their ruling passion, as that all the advantages gained in their days of retreat, by just and 'sober reflections, whether struck out by their own minds, or borrowed from good books, or from the con❝versation of men of merit, are destroyed in a few mo'ments by a free intercourse and acquaintance with liber'tines; and thus the work is always to be begun anew. 'A gamester resolves to leave off play, by which he finds his health impaired, his family ruined, and his passions ' inflamed; in this resolution he persists a few days, but soon yields to an invitation, which will give his prevailing inclination an opportunity of reviving in all its 'force. The case is the same with other men: but is reason to be charged with these calamities and follies, < or rather the man who refuses to listen to its voice in 'opposition to impertinent solicitations?'

On the means recommended for the attainment of happiness, he observes, that the abilities which our Maker has given us, and the internal and external advantages with which he has invested us, are of two very differ'ent kinds; those of one kind are bestowed in common upon us and the brute creation, but the other exalt us far above other animals. To disregard any of these gifts would be ingratitude; but to neglect those of greater excellence, to go no farther than the gross satisfactions of sense, and the functions of mere animal life, would be a far greater crime. We are formed by 6 our Creator capable of acquiring knowledge, and regulating our conduct by reasonable rules; it is therefore our duty to cultivate our understandings and exalt our virtues. We need but make the experiment to find, that 'the greatest pleasures will arise from such endeavours.

It is trifling to allege, in opposition to this truth, that 'knowledge cannot be acquired, nor virtue pursued, 'without toil and efforts, and that all efforts produce fa'tigue. God requires nothing disproportioned to the powers he has given, and in the exercise of those powers consists the highest satisfaction.

Toil and weariness are the effects of vanity: when a man has formed a design of excelling others in merit, he is disquieted by their advances, and leaves no"thing unattempted, that he may step before them: this 'occasions a thousand unreasonable emotions, which 'justly bring their punishment along with them.'

But let a man study and labour to cultivate and im6 prove his abilities in the eye of his Maker, and with the 'prospect of his approbation; let him attentively reflect on the infinite value of that approbation, and the high'est encomiums that men can bestow will vanish into nothing at the comparison. When we live in this manner, we find that we live for a great and glorious end. "When this is our frame of mind, we find it no lon<ger difficult to restrain ourselves in the gratifications of eating and drinking, the most gross enjoyments of sense. • We take what is necessary to preserve health and vigour, but are not to give ourselves up to pleasures that weaken the attention, and dull the understanding.' And the true sense of Mr. Pope's assertion, that Whatever is, is right, and I believe the sense in which it was written, is thus explained: A sacred and adorable 'order is established in the government of mankind. ‹ These are certain and unvaried truths: he that seeks "God, and makes it his happiness to live in obedience 'to him, shall obtain what he endeavours after, in a de6 gree far above his present comprehension. He that turns his back upon his Creator, neglects to obey him, and perseveres in his disobedience, shall obtain no o ther happiness than he can receive from enjoyments of his own procuring; void of satisfaction, weary of life, wasted by empty cares and remorses equally harassing and just, he will experience the certain conse'quences of his own choice. Thus will justice and goodness resume their empire, and that order be restored which men have broken.'

I am afraid of wearying you or your readers with more quotations, but if you shall inform me that a continuation of my correspondence will be well received, I shall descend to particular passages, show how Mr. Pope gave sometimes occasion to mistakes, and how Mr. Crousaz was misled by his suspicion of the system of fatality.

I am, SIR, your's, &c.

THE

PREFACE

TO THE

PRECEPTOR:*

CONTAINING

A GENERAL PLAN OF EDUCATION.

THE importance of Education is a point so generally understood and confessed, that it would be of little use to attempt any new proof or illustration of its nécessity and advantages.

At a time when so many schemes of education have been projected, so many proposals offered to the Publick, so many schools opened for general knowledge, and so many lectures in particular sciences attended; at a time when mankind seems intent rather upon familiarising than enlarging the several arts; and every age, sex, and profession, is invited to an acquaintance with those studies, which were formerly supposed accessible only to such as had devoted themselves to literary leisure, and dedicated their powers to philosophical inquiries; it seems rather requisite that an apology should be made for any further attempt to smooth a path so frequently beaten, or to recommend attainments so ardently pur sued, and so officiously directed.

That this general desire may not be frustrated, our schools seem yet to want some book, which may excite curiosity by its variety, encourage diligence by its facility, and reward application by its usefulness. In examining the treatises hitherto offered to the youth of this nation, there appeared none that did not fail in one or other of these essential qualities; none that were not either unpleasing, or abstruse, or crowded with learning, very rarely applicable to the purposes of common life.

Published in 1748, by Dodsley.