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5

who attempts and innovation in the present sys-
tem of instruction. Custom and prejudice have
often superseded the clearest deductions of reason.
The united experience of different ages can testi-
fy, that the most useful innovations have met with
violent opposition. But truth, in the end, has
generally triumphed over bigotry and error. Sci-
ence, in her different stages, has felt the oppressive
hand of tyranny, has burst the letters of authori-
ty, disentangled herself from the perplexed ma-
zes of scholastic subtility and, rising superior to them
all, has attained her present state of glory and em-
inence. And we hope erelong to see her freed from
every chain, that would embarrass her progress.

In deviating from the beaten track of adula-
tion, and asserting the freedom of science and the
rights of modern genius, it is far from our design to
depreciate the merit of the antients. Tha cause we
have espoused disclaims the idea of rising on the
ruins of others. It is capable of standing by its own
strength, and shines with unborrowed lustre. It
does not require us to refute, even, the most exag-
erated commendations, which have flowed from the