se. As this advantage will cease when the French are at liberty to
re-establish their commerce, and prosecute it without molestation, it
would be for the interest of Great Britain to be at continual variance
with that restless neighbour, provided the contest could be limited
to the operations of a sea-war, in which England would be always
invincible and victorious.

STATE OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY.

The powers of the human mind were freely and fully exercised in this
reign. Considerable progress was made in mathematics and astronomy by
divers individuals; among whom we number Sanderson, Bradley, Maclaurin,
Smith, and the two Simpsons. Natural philosophy became a general study;
and the new doctrine of electricity grew into fashion. Different methods
were discovered for rendering sea-water potable and sweet; and divers
useful hints were communicated to the public by the learned doctor
Stephen Hales, who directed all his researches and experiments to the
benefit of society. The study of alchemy no longer prevailed; but the
art of chemistry was perfectly understood, and assiduously applied
to the purposes of sophistication. The clergy of Great Britain were
generally learned, pious, and exemplary. Sherlock, Hoad-ley, Seeker,
and Conybeare, were promoted to the first dignities of the church.
Warburton, who had long signalized himself by the strength and boldness
of his genius, his extensive capacity and profound erudition, at length
obtained the mitre. But these promotions were granted to reasons ef
state convenience and personal interest, rather than as rewards of
extraordinary merit. Many other ecclesiastics of worth and learning
were totally overlooked. Nor was ecclesiastical merit confined to the
established church. Many instances of extraordinary genius, unaffected
piety, and universal moderation, appeared among the dissenting ministers
of Great Britain and Ireland; among these we particularize the elegant,
the primitive Foster; the learned, ingenious, and penetrating Leland.

FANATICISM.

The progress of reason, and free cultivation of the human mind, had not,
however, entirely banished those ridiculous sects and schisms of which
the kingdom had been formerly so productive. Imposture and fanaticism
still hung upon the skirts of religion. Weak minds were seduced by the
delusion of a superstition styled Methodism, raised upon the affectation
of superior sanctity, and maintained by pretensions to divine
il