general, serve only as a transient relaxation of the mind, which rarely retains any recollection of them. Human nature is of a serious cast; and, in the silence of meditation, we attach ourselves solely to those works which are calculated to exercise our reason or our sensibility. It is in this kind of writing only that literary glory has been acquired, and in it alone can the real influence of Literature be displayed.

Will it be said, that the pursuit of literary fame may divert a man from the performance of domestic duties, or of political services which he might render to his country? There no longer exist any models of those republics, which allotted to each citizen his share of influence over the destiny of his country; much farther are we removed from that patriarchal mode of life, in which every family entertained in their own bosom such sentiments as they most approved. But in the present state of Europe, the progress of Literature must tend to unfold every species of generous notions. Were this advancement of Literature to be checked, it would not be the cultivation of public virtues or of private affections that would be substituted in its room, but the greedy calculations of selfishness or of vanity.

The generality of mankind, dismayed by the frightful vicissitudes to which political events have given rise amongst us, seem to have lost all regard for the improvement of their minds, and are too deeply intimidated by the hazardous state of things, to allow the intellectual faculties to possess any ascendancy. If the French, however, were to exert themselves to obtain fresh successes in the career of Literature and Philosophy, it would be a first step made towards the improvement of their morals: the very pleasure that is produced by the success of self-love, would be the means of forming some bands of unity betwixt men. We should gradually emerge from that most degraded state of public spirit, where the selfishness of the state of nature is combined with the active multiplicity of the interests of society; where corruption is without politeness, and coarseness without candour; where civilization is unaccompanied by knowledge, and ignorance unprompted by enthusiasm: in a word, we should emerge from that kind of apathy, the distemper of a few superior men, with which little minds imagine themselves to be attacked; while wholly taken up with their own interest, they betray a total indifference for the sufferings of others.

OF LITERATURE, AS IT CONCERNS AND is CONNECTED WITH GLORY.

Ir it be true, that Literature can essentially contribute to the improvement of Morals, it must, by that circumstance alone, have a powerful influence upon Glory: for there can be no durable glory enjoyed by a country, in which due regard is not paid to the public morals. If a nation did not adopt certain invariable principles as the basis of its opinion, and if each individual were not strengthened and confirmed in his judgment by a conviction that that judgment was consentaneous to the universal assent, distinguished reputations would be nothing more than so many contingencies that succeeded each other by chance. The splendour of certain actions might dazzle and strike; but there must be a progression in the sentiments we feel, before we arrive at the sublimest of all,-admiration. our judgments are formed upon comparison. Esteem, approbation, and respect, are so many ingredients that are necessary to the composition of enthusiasm. Morality lays the foundations upon which Glory may raise its superstructure;

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and Literature, independently of its alliance and connection with Morals, contributes moreover, and in a manner still more direct, to the production and existence of that Glory which is the noblest motive and highest incentive to all public virtues.

The love of one's country is an affection purely social. Man, whom nature has adapted for domestic intercourse, would not carry his ambition farther, if not urged by the irresistible attraction of general esteem and upon that esteem, which grows out of the public opinion, literary talents exert the most powerful influence. At Athens, at Rome, in all the mistress-cities of the civilized world, the powers of eloquence displayed in public harangues turned at will the inclinations of the people, and decided the general lot. In modern days, reading paves the way for great events, and by this men's minds are enlightened. What would become of populous nations, if the individuals who compose them did not communicate with each other by means of the press? Were silence to prevail in large assemblies of men, there never could be established any point of contact from which to elicit light, and the multitude could never enrich their minds with the thoughts of superior intellects.

As the human species is constantly recruiting itself, an individual can create a void only in opinion; and in order to give existence to that opinion, there must be some means of understanding each other at a distance, and of uniting themselves in one universal sentiment, from a knowledge of the ideas and sentiments that are generally approved. Poets and moralists previously characterize the nature of glorious deeds. The study of Literature enables a nation to reward its great men, by teaching it to appreciate their respective deserts. Military glory has existed among the most barbarous tribes: but no comparison should ever be instituted between ignorance and degradation. Should a people that have once been civilized by the love of letters, relapse into a state of indifference to genius and philosophy, and become dull and cold to every lively and generous sentiment; they then can only be distinguished by a spirit that endeavours to debase and vilify, and which prompts them under every circumstance to shut their minds against admiration. They are afraid of being deceived, should they attempt to bestow praise, and, like young fops who assume the air and tone of fashion, they imagine they distinguish themselves more by an unjust censure, then he a