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(ix)

gulated government: for depravity of manners will render ineffectual the most

falutary laws; and, in the midst of opu

lence, what other means to prevent such depravity but early and virtuous difcipline? The British discipline is fufceptible of great improvements; and, if we can hope for them, it must be from a young and accomplished Prince, eminently fenfible of their importance. To establish a complete fyftem of education, feems reserved by Providence for a Sovereign who commands the hearts of his fubjects. Success will crown the undertaking, and endear GEORGE THE THIRD to our latest posterity.

THE moft elevated and most refined pleasure of human nature, is enjoyed by

a

a virtuous Prince governing a virtuous people; and that, by perfecting the great fyftem of education, your Majefty may

very long enjoy this pleasure, is the ardent with of

Your Majesty's

Devoted Subject,

HENRY HOME.

Dec. 1761.

TO THE

SECOND EDITION.

PRINTING, by multiplying copies

at will, affords to writers great opportunity of receiving inftruction from every quarter. The author of this treatife, having always been of opinion that the general tafte is feldom wrong, was resolved from the beginning to submit to it with entire refignation: its severest disapprobation might have incited him to do better, but never to complain. Finding now the judgment of the public to be favourable, ought he not to draw fatisfaction from it? He would be devoid of fenfibility were he not greatly fatisfied. Many criticisms have indeed reached his ear; but they are candid and benevolent, if not always juft. Gratitude, therefore, had there been no other motive, must have roufed

his

his utmost industry, to clear this edition from all the defects of the former, so far as fuggefted by others, or discovered by himself. In a work containing many particulars, both new and abstruse, it was difficult to express every article with sufficient perfpicuity; and, after all the pains bestowed, there remained certain paffages which are generally thought obfcure. The author, giving an attentive ear to every censure of that kind, has, in the present edition, renewed his efforts to correct every defect; and he would gladly hope that he has not been altogether unfuccessful. The truth is, that a writer, who must be poffeffed of the thought before he can put it into words, is but ill qualified to judge whether the expreffion be fufficiently clear to others: in that particular, he cannot avoid the taking on him to judge for the reader, who can much better judge for himself. June 1763.

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