1$0 THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. of wine persons, because they devote their hours of study entire- ly to short essays and pamphlets, and cast contempt upon systems under a pretence of greater politeness whereas the true reason of this contempt of systematical learning, is mere laziness and want of judgment. II. After we are-grown wellacquainted with a short system or compendium of a science which is written in the plainest and most simple manner, it is then proper to read a larger regular treatise on that subject, if we design a complete knowledge and cultivation of it : and either while we are reading this larger sys. tern, or after we have done it, then occasional discourses and essays upon the particular subjects and partsof that science may be read with the greatest profit : for in these essays we may often find very considerable corrections and improvements of what these compends, or even the larger systems may have taught us, ming- ledwith some mistakes. And these corrections or improvements shouldbe as remarks, adjoining by the way of note or commentary in their proper places, and superadded to the regular treatise we have read. Then astudious and judicious review of the whole, will give us a tolerable acquaintance with that science. III. It is a great happiness to have such a tutor, or such friends and companions at hand, who are able to inform us what are the best books written on any science, or any special part of it. For want of this advantage, many a man has wasted bis time in readingover perhaps some wholevolumes, and learnt lit- tle more by it than to know, that those volumes were not worth his reading. IV. As for the languages, they are certainly best learned in the younger years of life. The memory is then most empty and unfurnished, and ready to receive new ideas continually. We find that children in two years time after they are born, learn to speak their native tongue. V. The more abstracted sciences, which depend more upon the understanding and judgment, and which deal much in abstract- ed ideas, should not be imposed upon children too soon ; such are logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, or the depth and difficul- . tiesof grammar and criticism. Yet it must be confessed, the first rudiments of grammar are necessary, or at least very con- venient tó be known when youth learns a new language; and some general easy principles and rules of morality and divinity are needful, in order to teach'a child his duty to God and man ; hut to enter far into abstracted reasonings ou these subjects, is beyond the capacity of children. VI. '!'here are several of the sciences, that will more agree - ably employ our younger years, and the general parts of them
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