When this fyftem has been digefted, if it be thought neceffary to proceed farther in the ftudy of method, it will be proper to recommend Croufaz, Watts, Le Clerc, Wolfius, and Locke's Essay on Human Understanding; and if there be imagined any neceffity of adding the peripatetick logick, which has been perhaps condemned without a candid trial, it will be convenient to proceed to Sanderfon, Wallis, Crackanthorp, and Aristotle.

VIII. To excite a curiofity after the works of God, is the chief defign of the small specimen of natural hiftory inferted in this collection; which, however, may be fufficient to put the mind in motion, and in some measure to direct its fteps; but its effects may easily be improved by a philofophick master, who will every day find a thousand opportunities of turning the attention of his scholars to the contemplation of the objects that furround them, of laying open the wonderful art with which every part of the univerfe is formed, and the providence which governs the vegetable and animal creation. He may lay before them the Religious Philofopher, Ray, Derham's Phyfico-Theology, together with the Spectacle de la Nature; and in time recommend to their perufal Rondoletius and Aldrovandus.

IX. But how much foever the reafon may be strengthened by logick, or the conceptions of the mind enlarged by the study of nature, it is neceffary the man be not fuffered to dwell upon them fo long as to neglect the study of himfelf, the knowledge of his own station in the ranks of being, and his various relations to the innumerable multitudes which furround

him, and with which his Maker has ordained him to be united for the reception and communication of happiness. To confider these aright is of the greatest importance, fince from these arife duties which he cannot neglect. Ethics, or morality, therefore, is one of the studies which ought to begin with the first glimpse of reason, and only end with life itself. Other acquifitions are merely temporary benefits, except as they contribute to illuftrate the knowledge, and confirm the practice of morality and piety, which extend their influence beyond the grave, and increase our happiness through endlefs duration.

This great fcience, therefore, must be inculcated with care and affiduity, fuch as its importance ought to incite in reasonable minds; and for the profecution of this defign, fit opportunities are always at hand. As the importance of logick is to be fhewn by detecting falfe arguments; the excellence of morality is to be displayed by proving the deformity, the reproach, and the mifery of all deviations from it. Yet it is to be remembered, that the laws of mere morality are no coercive power; and, however they may by conviction of their fitnefs please the reafoner in the fhade, when the paffions ftagnate without impulfe, and the appetites are fecluded from their objects, they will be of little force against the ardour of defire, or the vehemence of rage, amidst the pleasures and tumults of the world. To counteract the power of temptations, hope must be excited by the profpect of rewards, and fear by the expectation of punishment; and virtue may owe her panegyricks to morality, but muft derive her authority from religion.

When

When therefore the obligations of morality are taught, let the fanctions of christianity never be forgotten; by which it will be fhewn, that they give ftrength and luftre to each other; religion will appear to be the voice of reafon, and morality the will of GOD. Under this article must be recommended Fully's Offices, Grotius, Puffendorf, Cumberland's Laws of Nature, and the excellent Mr. Addison's Moral and Religious Effays.

X. Thus far the work is composed for the use of scholars, merely as they are men. But it was thought neceffary to introduce fomething that might be particularly adapted to that country for which it is defigned; and therefore a difcourfe has been added upon trade and commerce, of which it becomes every man of this nation to understand at least the general principles, as it is impoffible that any should be high or low enough not to be in fome degree affected by their declenfion or profperity. It is therefore neceffary that it should be univerfally known among us, what changes of property are advantageous, or when the balance of trade is on our fide; what are the products or manufactures of other countries; and how far one nation may in any fpecies of traffick obtain or preferve fuperiority over another. The theory of trade is yet but little understood, and therefore the practice is often without real advantage to the publick; but it might be carried on with more general fuccefs, if its principles were better confidered: and to excite that attention is our chief defign. To the perufal of this book may fucceed that of Mun upon foreign Trade, Sir Jofiah Child, Locke upon Coin, Davenant's treatifes,

the

the British Merchant, Dictionnaire de Commerce, and, for an abstract or compendium, Gee, and an improvement that may hereafter be made upon his plan.

XI. The principles of laws and government come next to be confidered; by which men are taught to whom obedience is due, for what it is paid, and in what degree it may be juftly required. This knowledge, by peculiar neceffity, constitutes a part of the education of an Englishman, who profeffes to obey his prince according to the law, and who is himself a fecondary legiflator, as he gives his confent, by his representative, to all the laws by which he is bound, and has a right to petition the great council of the nation, whenever he thinks they are deliberating upon an act detrimental to the intereft of the community. This is therefore a fubject to which the thoughts of a young man ought to be directed; and that he may obtain such knowledge as may qualify him to act and judge as one of a free people, let him be directed to add to this introduction Fortefcue's Treatifes, N. Bacon's Hiftorical Difcourfe on the Laws and Government of England, Temple's Introduction, Locke on Government, Zouch's Elementa Juris Civilis, Plato Redivivus, Gurdon's Hiftory of Parliaments, and Hooker's Ecclefiaftical Polity.

XII. Having thus fupplied the young student with knowledge, it remains now that he learns its application; and that thus qualified to act his part, he be at laft taught to chufe it. For this purpose a fection is added upon human life and manners; in which he is cautioned against the danger of indulging his paffions, of vitiating his habits, and depraving his fen

timents.

timents. He is inftructed in these points by three fables, two of which were of the highest authority in the ancient Pagan world. But at this he is not to reft; for if he expects to be wife and happy, he must diligently study the SCRIPTURES of GOD.

Such is the book now propofed, as the firft initiation into the knowledge of things, which has been thought by many to be too long delayed in the prefent forms of education. Whether the complaints be not often ill-grounded, may perhaps be difputed; but it is at least reafonable to believe, that greater proficiency might fometimes be made; that real knowledge might be more early communicated; and that children might be allowed, without injury to health, to spend many of those hours upon useful employments, which are generally loft in idleness and play; therefore the publick will furely encourage an experiment, by which, if it fails, nobody is hurt; and if it fucceeds, all the future ages of the world may find advantage; which may eradicate or prevent vice, by turning to a better ufe those moments in which it is learned or indulged; and in fome fenfe lengthen life, by teaching pofterity to enjoy thofe years which have hitherto been loft. The fuccefs, and even the trial of this experiment, will depend upon those to whom the care of our youth is committed; and a due fenfe of the importance of their truft will eafily prevail upon them to encourage a work which purfues the defign of improving education. If any part of the following performance fhall upon trial be found capable of amendment; if any thing can be added or altered, fo as to render the attainment of knowledge

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