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introduction.

£ e c T. tages of fuch ftudies, and the rank they are in-1 , titled to poffefs in academical education *. I amunder no temptation, for this purpofe, of extol-‘ ling their importance at the expence of any other

department of fcience. On the contrary, the ftu-dy of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres fuppofes andrequires a proper acquaintance with the reft ofthe liberal arts. It embraces them all within itscircle, and recommends them to the higheft re-gard. The firft care of all fuch as wifh eitherto write with reputation , or to fpeak in publicfo as to command attention, muft be, to ex-tend their knowledge ; to lay in a rich ftore ofideas relating to thofe fubjedts of which the oc-cafions of life may call them to difcourfe or towrite. Hence, among the ancients, it was afundamental principle , and frequently inculcated ,“ Quod omnibus difciplinis et artibus debet efle“ inftrudtus orator ; ” that the orator ought to bean accompiilhed fcholar, and converfantin everypart of learning. It is indeed impoffible to con-trive an art, and very pernicious it were if itcould be contrived , which fhould give theftamp of merit to any compoiition rich or fplen-

* The Author was the firft who read Letftures on thisfubjedt in the Univerfity of Edinburgh . He began withreading them, in a private character in the year 17^9. Inthe following year he was chofen Profefior of Rhetoric bythe Magistrates and Town-council of Edinburgh : and, in1 762, his Majefty was pleafed to eredt and endow a Pro-fellion of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres in that Univerfity;and the Author was appointed the firft E.egius Profeffor.

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