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curiofity, or increase attention to any branch of profitable knowledge, and diffuse more widely the light of general information, he will have the fatisfaction to think, that his time, his reflections, and his ftudies, have not been sacrificed to a frivolous purpose, by thus endeavouring, in conformity with the occupations of the most valuable portion of his life, to inftruct the rifing generation.

Trinity College, Oxford,
June 21, 1806.

GENERAL

GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

VOL. I.

INTRODUCTORY

CHAPTER.

THE Defign of the Work. The various branches of Literature and Science are confidered with reference to young Men in the higher claffes of life, as they are, I. CHRISTIANS; II. as STUDENTS, who enjoy the advantages of a liberal Education; III. as MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. The confideration of these important relations in which they stand to Society, has fuggefted the choice of the following fubjects. The purfuit of them, carried to fuch an extent as is compatible with due attention to profeffional Studies, is calculated to improve the faculties of the mind,—to inform the understanding, ftrengthen the judgment, engage the memory in an agreeable exercife, and prepare a young Man for the best performance of his various duties in life. P. 1-16.

CLASS I.

RELIGION.

CHAP. I.

THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

THE reafonableness of inftructing Children in the principles of Religion at an early age. The fuperior excellence of CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. The leading proofs of the truth of Christianity stated. I. The AUTHENTICITY OF THE

BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. II. THE CHARACTER or OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. III. THE PROPHECIES of which he was the Subject, and thofe which he pronounced. IV. HIS MIRACLES. V. HIS PRECEPTS, or CHRISTIAN ETHICS. VI. THE RAPID AND EXTENSIVE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL at its firft preaching, under circumstances the most hoftile to its fuccefs. P. 17-56. СНАР.

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CHAP. II.

THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.

REASONS why the doctrines and precepts of the Chriftian Religion have been attacked by Infidels of all ages. Their arguments weak and inconclufive. The abfurd Opinions of the French Philofophifts and their Followers, relative to Univerfal Philanthropy, expofed. The Chriftian Religion has produced the happieft effects upon the Opinions, Conduct, and Inftitutions of Mankind.-It was darkened by Superftition, and intermixed with Error by the Papifts-but was brought back more nearly to the Apoftolical Standard by the REFORMATION—particularly by the PROTESTANT ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. Summary of the fublime Truths of Chriftianity.-It comprehends the laft Revelation of the divine will to mankind-eftablishes the certainty of a future ftate-reconciles Man to the difpenfations of Providence -and qualifies him by a Life of Faith and Obedience for the Rewards of Eternity. P. 57-82.

CLASS II.

LANGUAGE.

CHAP. I.

LANGUAGE IN GENERAL.

ADVANTAGES refulting from a Knowledge of various Languages. All Languages are derived from one original Source. The most rational fyftem of the Origin of Speech accords with the Scriptural account of Mofes.--Hieroglyphics and Painting.-Alphabetical Characters are the most perfect reprefentation of ideas their Origin and Progrefs-thofe of modern Europe may be traced to one fource.-Origin of the Italian and French Languages.--The diftinctions between ancient and modern Languages. P. 83-101.

CHAP. II.

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

ITS Origin and Progrefs. The Simplicity of its grammatical Conftruction-Has been brought more nearly to a regular

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standard by the writings of Bishop Lowth, Dr. Johnson, and Mr. Horne Tooke-Is both copious and energetic, and well adapted to Poetry. Its beauties and defects. Great fuperiority of English to French Verfe.-Remarks on thofe Writers who have unnecessarily introduced into their works many words of Latin derivation, particularly Sir Thomas Brown, the Author of the Vulgar Errors, and Dr. Johnfon.-Strictures on the Stile of Gibbon. P. 102-124.

CHAP. III.

THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.

SOME of the purest Writers of English recommended.SHAKESPEARE - RALEGH-SPEED-TAYLOR, CLAREN-TEMPLE-BARROW-LOCKE-DRYDEN-SWIFT

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ADDISON-POPE-MELMOTH-SIR J. REYNOLDS, &c. &c. -The excellence of the English Translation of the Bible.The practice of Writing gives to Converfation correctnefs and elegance.-Difagreement between our Orthography and Pronunciation-How they ought to be regulated. The excellence of our Language, when confidered as the vehicle of fome of the most inftructive and delightful productions of the human mind. The Settlement of the English Colonies in North America and the Eaft Indies will probably contribute to its per petuity. P. 125-137.

CHAP. IV.

THE LATIN LANGUAGE.

ITS Utility-It was formerly the Language of all Perfons of Education for converfation as well as writing.-Its Origin. Inferior to Greek, particularly in wanting the article.-Its Beauties and difcriminating Features. The progrefs of its Improvement. Sketch of the pureft Writers-TERENCELUCRETIUS CICERO CORNELIUS NEPOS- CASAR LIVY-VIRGIL-HORACE, &c. Points in which Latin are inferior to Greek Writers. A degeneracy of style remarkable in Tacitus-Suetonius-Pliny-Lucan-Seneca. Many beauties of the Claffics are loft in Tranflations. State of the Language in modern times. State of the Language before and after the fall of the Roman Empire. The best models of Imitation for Writers of Latin, are CICERO and VIRGIL.

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