ment of the understanding. I acknowledge, that there are fome profeffions, in which a man of very confined acquifitions may arrive at the first eminence; and in which he will perhaps be the more likely to excel, the more he has concentrated the whole force of his mind to one particular object. But fuch a perfon, however diftinguished in his own sphere, is educated merely to be a literary artifan; and neither attains the perfection, nor the happinefs, of his nature. "That "education only can be confidered as complete and

generous, which" (in the language of Milton)" fits a "man to perform justly, skilfully, and magnanimously, "all the offices, both private and public, of peace, and ❝ of war *.'

I hope it will not be fuppofed, from the foregoing obfervations, that they are meant to recommend an indifcriminate attention to all the objects of fpeculation and of action. Nothing can be more evident, than the neceffity of limiting the field of our exertion, if we wish to benefit fociety by our labours. But it is perfectly confiftent with the moft intenfe application to our favourite purfuit, to cultivate that general acquaintance with letters and with the world, which may be fufficient to enlarge the mind, and to preferve it from any danger of contracting the pedantry of a particular profeffion. In many cafes, (as was already remarked,) the sciences reflect light on each other; and the general acquifitions which we have made in other pursuits, may furnish us with useful helps for the farther profecution of our own. But even in thofe inftances in which the cafe is otherwife, and in which thefe liberal accomplishments must be purchased by the facrifice of a part

* Tractate of Education.

of

of our profeffional eminence, the acquifition of them will amply repay any lofs we may fuftain. It ought not to be the leading object of any one, to become an eminent metaphyfician, mathematician, or poet; but to render himself happy as an individual, and an agree able, a respectable, and an useful member of fociety. A man who lofes his fight, improves the fenfibility of his touch; but who would confent, for fuch a recompence, to part with the pleasures which he receives from the eye?

It is almost unneceffary for me to remark, how much individuals would be affifted in the proper and liberal culture of the mind, if they were previously led to take a comprehensive survey of human nature in all its parts; of its various faculties, and powers, and fources of enjoyment; and of the effects which are produced on these principles by particular fituations. It is fuch a knowledge alone of the capacities of the mind, that can enable a person to judge of his own acquifitions; and to employ the most effectual means for fupplying his defects, and removing his inconvenient habits. Without fome degree of it, every man is in danger of contracting bad habits, before he is aware; and of fuffering fome of his powers to go to decay, for want of proper exercise.

If the business of early education were more thoroughly, and more generally, understood, it would be less neceffary for individuals, when they arrive at maturity, to form plans of improvement for themselves. But education never can be fyftematically directed to its proper objects, till we have obtained, not only an accurate analysis of the general principles of our nature, C 4

and

ment of the understanding. I acknowledge, that there are fome profeffions, in which a man of very confined acquifitions may arrive at the first eminence ; and in which he will perhaps be the more likely to excel, the more he has concentrated the whole force of his mind to one particular object. But fuch a perfon, however diftinguished in his own sphere, is educated merely to be a literary artifan; and neither attains the perfection, nor the happiness, of his nature, "That "education only can be confidered as complete and

generous, which" (in the language of Milton)" fits a "man to perform justly, skilfully, and magnanimously, "all the offices, both private and public, of peace, and ❝of war *,

I hope it will not be fuppofed, from the foregoing obfervations, that they are meant to recommend an indifcriminate attention to all the objects of fpeculation and of action. Nothing can be more evident, than the neceffity of limiting the field of our exertion, if we wish to benefit fociety by our labours. But it is perfectly confiftent with the most intense application to our favourite purfuit, to cultivate that general acquaintance with letters and with the world, which may be fufficient to enlarge the mind, and to preserve it from any danger of contracting the pedantry of a particular profeffion. In many cafes, (as was already remarked,) the sciences reflect light on each other; and the general acquifitions which we have made in other purfuits, may furnish us with useful helps for the farther profecution of our own. But even in thofe instances in which the cafe is otherwife, and in which these liberal accomplishments must be purchased by the facrifice of a part

*Tractate of Education.

of

of our profeffional eminence, the acquifition of them will amply repay any lofs we may sustain. It ought not to be the leading object of any one, to become an eminent metaphyfician, mathematician, or poet; but to render himself happy as an individual, and an agree able, a respectable, and an useful member of fociety. A man who loses his fight, improves the fenfibility of his touch; but who would confent, for fuch a recompence, to part with the pleasures which he receives from the eye?

It is almost unneceffary for me to remark, how much individuals would be affifted in the proper and liberal culture of the mind, if they were previously led to take a comprehenfive furvey of human nature in all its parts; of its various faculties, and powers, and fources of enjoyment; and of the effects which are produced on these principles by particular fituations. It is fuch a knowledge alone of the capacities of the mind, that can enable a person to judge of his own acquifitions; and to employ the most effectual means for supplying his defects, and removing his inconvenient habits. Without fome degree of it, every man is in danger of contracting bad habits, before he is aware; and of fuffering fome of his powers to go to decay, for want of proper exercise.

If the business of early education were more thoroughly, and more generally, understood, it would be less neceffary for individuals, when they arrive at maturity, to form plans of improvement for themfelves. But education never can be fyftematically directed to its proper objects, till we have obtained, not only an accurate analyfis of the general principles of our nature,

1

ment of the understanding. I acknowledge, that there are fome profeffions, in which a man of very confined acquifitions may arrive at the firft eminence; and in which he will perhaps be the more likely to excel, the more he has concentrated the whole force of his mind to one particular object. But fuch a perfon, however diftinguished in his own sphere, is educated merely to be a literary artifan; and neither attains the perfection, nor the happiness, of his nature, "That "education only can be confidered as complete and generous, which" (in the language of Milton)" fits a "man to perform juftly, fkilfully, and magnanimously, "all the offices, both private and public, of peace, and ❝ of war

I hope it will not be fuppofed, from the foregoing obfervations, that they are meant to recommend an indifcriminate attention to all the objects of fpeculation and of action. Nothing can be more evident, than the neceffity of limiting the field of our exertion, if we wish to benefit fociety by our labours. But it is perfectly confiftent with the most intense application to our favourite pursuit, to cultivate that general acquaintance with letters and with the world, which may be sufficient to enlarge the mind, and to preserve it from any danger of contracting the pedantry of a particular profeffion. In many cafes, (as was already remarked,) the sciences reflect light on each other; and the general acquifitions which we have made in other purfuits, may furnish us with ufeful helps for the farther profecution of our own. But even in those instances in which the cafe is otherwife, and in which thefe liberal accomplishments must be purchased by the facrifice of a part

*Tractate of Education.

of