would have died with laughing. As foon as dinner was over, according to my old cuftom, I requested that the table might be taken away to have the pleafure of seeing all my family affembled once more by a cheerful fire-fide. My two little ones fat upon each knee, the reft of the company by their partners. I had nothing now on this fide of the grave to wish for, all my cares were over, my pleasure was unfpeakable. It now only remained that my gratitude in good fortune should exceed my former fubmiffion in adversity.

END OF THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD.

AN

ENQUIRY

INTO THE

PRESENT STATE

OF

POLITE LEARNING.

Έμοι προς φιλοσοφος εςι φιλια προς μεν τοι σοφίτας η γραφ ματίσας ατε νυν εσι φιλια μητε υςερον ποτε γενοιτο.

Tolerabile fi Ædificia noftra diruerent Ædificandi capaces.

THE FIRST EDITION OF THIS WORK APPEARED IN 1759, AND THE SECOND WAS PRINTED IN 1774.

AN

ENQUIRY

INTO THE

PRESENT STATE

OF

POLITE LEARNING.

CHAP. I.

INTRODUCTION.

11 has been fo long the practice to reprefent litera

ture as declining, that every renewal of this com plaint now comes with diminished influence. The public has been fo often excited by a falfe alarm, that at present the nearer we approach the threatened period of decay, the more our fecurity increases.

It will now probably be faid that taking the decay of genius for granted, as I do, argues either refentment or partiality. The writer, poffeffed of fame, it may be afferted, is willing to enjoy it without a rival, by leffening every competitor; or, if unsuccessful, he is defirous to turn upon others the contempt which is levelled at himself, and being convicted at the bar of literary juftice, hopes for Р

VOL. I.

pardon