gods. And certainly he was in this predicament when he was affaffinated.

When with every precaution in our power we must continue full of inquietude and uncertainty, it is most advisable to be prepared for the worst ills; and we may then derive confolation from the idea, that we are not cer tain they will overtake us.

ESSAY 18.

ON PEDANTRY.

WHEN I was a boy I frequented the Italian theatre*, and was often difgufted that a schoolmafter or learned man was generally turned into ridicule. I could allow for the contempt of the lower order, from their diffimilarity of condition and fentiments; but I found alfo to my aftonishment, that the learned were hated and defpifed even by the braveft and most eminent men, which was the practice of the ancients, as Plutarch mentions, that Grecian and scholar were names of scorn and reproach among the Romans. Since I arrived at a maturer age, I find there is fonie reafon for this opinion, and that the most learned men are not always the wisest. But from whence does it arise, that a mind enriched with a variety of knowledge is not im

*Theatre Italien.

proved by the discourses and remarks of so many excellent authors? A young lady once obferved, concerning a learned man, that in confequence of collecting other people's thoughts, his own ideas must be necessarily compressed in order to give place to their's. Indeed I should naturally imagine, that as plants are overpowered and killed with too much nourishment, and lamps are extinguished with too much oil, so the active part of the imagination, opprefsed with too much study, and confounded with a diversity of sentiments, is deprived of its energy, and is thus rendered useless. But the fact is frequently the reverse, as the foul often enlarges and dilates in proportion as it fills. Some philosophers indeed, who retired from public situations, have been fit objects of derision, because they despised the customary forms and affairs of life, affected singularity, and used bombast, and obsolete language. I hate men whose discourses are philosophical, and their actions frivolous and base. Aristotle relates that himself and others of his prosession were called wise, but not prudent, because they did not sufficiently esti

mate

But

mate those things which were useful. in ancient times many examples occur of excellent lawyers and great generals, who were also very learned. With regard to true philofophers, I must also observe, that if they were great in science, they were much greater in action. It is remarked of Archimedes, the celebrated mathematician and geometrician of Syracuse, that he invented warlike machines of such prodigious magnitude and effect, as destroyed in a moment the works which the enemy had employed so much time in constructing. Yet what the world termed wonderful performances, he estimated only as trivial experi

ments.

Thales, frequently reprobating the extreme desire of accumulating riches, was accused of resembling the fox who despised what he could not obtain. In order to prove the contrary, and by way of sport, he instituted a new mode of traffic, which proved so productive, that he raised as large a fortune in one year, as the most experienced merchant had heretofore gained during his whole life. These instances prove that learning, application, and improvement,

ment, may, and often do, produce very beneficial effects.

But I wish to discover why, in the present age, learning is not of greater utility. In my opinion this deficiency arises from an improper application to the study of the sciences: for according to the method by which we are instructed, it is no wonder that we do not become more useful, though we may become more learned. Truly the care and expence of our parents tend to furnish our heads with science, but not to instill virtue and judgment into our hearts. Now if a learned man and a good man come under observation, you will universally perceive that respect is only shewn to the learned one; but there should be a monitor of the people, saying, "Oh ye stupid louts, ye inquire, does he understand Greek ; is he a critic in Latin; does he write in verse or in prose? but ye never inquire whether he is amiable and deserving, which is of infinitely greater consequence. You should endeavour to discriminate who is most improved by learning, not who is most learned. Ye labour only to fill the memory, but leave the under

standing