s of science purchase books in great quantities, not so
much, I am told, for the sake of the contents, as for their antiqueness
of style or elegance of binding.

"The learned and unlearned are distinguished from each other by
different dresses and manners; but especially by different religions:
the latter believe mostly in one God; the former worship many
divinities, both male and female. Among the principal of these are,
Apollo, Minerva, and nine muses; besides many lesser whole and half
Gods. The poets particularly implore their aid and 'hail' them when they
take a notion to rage.

"The learned are divided, according to their different studies into the
classes of philosophers, poets, grammarians, natural philosophers,
metaphysicians, &c.

"A philosopher is a scientific tradesman, who, for a certain price,
sells prescriptions of self-denial, temperance and poverty; he generally
preaches the pains of wealth, till he becomes rich himself, when he
abandons the world for a comfortable and dignified retreat. The father
of the philosophers, Seneca, is said to have collected royal wealth.

"A poet is one who makes a great stir with printed prattle, falsehood
and fury. Madness is the characteristic of the true poet. All those who
express themselves, with clearness, precision and simplicity are deemed
unworthy of the laurel wreath.

"The grammarians are a sort of military body, who disturb the public
peace. They are distinguished from all other warriors, by dress and
weapons. They wear black instead of colored uniforms, and wield pens
rather than swords. They fight with as much obstinacy for letters and
words as do the others for liberty and father-land.

"A natural philosopher is one who searches into the bowels of the earth,
studies the nature of animals, worms and insects, and, in a word, is
familiar with every thing, but himself.

"A metaphysician is a sort of philosopher, partly visionary and partly
sceptical, who sees what is concealed from all others. He describes the
being and unfolds the nature of souls and spirits, and knows both what
is, and what is not. From the acuteness of his sight, the metaphysician
cannot discern what lies directly before his feet.

"I have thus briefly considered the condition of the learned republic in
Europe. I could relate many other things, but I think I have given the
reader a sufficient test, by which he may judge how far the Europeans
have a right to hold themselves preeminent