(seq. 34)

4

Can it be judicious to waste time in learn-
ing alphabets, and loading the memory with
a thousand irregular inflections of verbs and
declensions of nouns, when the mind ought to
be engaged in manly and philosophical studies?
After destroying more than double the time,
requisite for the attainment of all the valuable
part of oriental philosophy, the linguist, at the
present day, has the mortification to find him-
self as far from the temple of science,
as when he commenced the circuit of the lan-
guages. And having lost so much time and
attention, he returns to his vernacular tongue,
as the most expeditious way to become acquaint-
ed with both antients and moderns.

With what face, then, can it be pre-
tended, that the time, devoted to the oriental
tongues, is usefully occupied?

Since the memory of the antients is so
universally revered, their authority so highly es-
teemed, and their patronage so generally courted
by candidates for places in the republic of letters,
the prospect of success is not very promising for him,