termine the reference of each adjective to its proper fubftantive, which it is impoffible for any thing in the English to do. How much this power of tranfpofing the order of their words muft have facilitated the compofition of the ancients, both in verfe and profe, can hardly be imagined. That it must greatly have facilitated their verfification it is needlefs to obferve; and in profe, whatever beauty depends upon the arrangement and conftruction of the feveral members of the period, muft to them have been acquirable with much more eafe, and to much greater perfection, than it can be to thofe whofe expreffion is conftantly confined by the prolixnefs, conftraint, and monotony of modern languages. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITORS. HE much lamented Author of thefe TH Effays left them in the hands of his friends to be difpofed of as they thought proper, having immediately before his death destroyed many other manufcripts which he thought unfit for being made public. When thefe were infpected, the greater number of them appeared to be parts of a plan he once had formed, for giving a connected history of the liberal fciences and elegant arts. It is long fince he found it neceffary to abandon that plan as far too extenfive; and thefe parts of it lay befide him neglected until his death. His friends are perfuaded however, that the reader will find in them that happy connection, that full and accurate expreffion, and that clear illuftration which are confpicuous in the reft E 2 |