Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

PREFACE.

THOSE, who, in the perusal of History, are fond of tracing the characters of mankind, and their close similarity, in every age, will, it is hoped, be gratified, as they scan over, with an impartial eye,the following pages. They prove, incontestibly, that, though refinement improves the ideas and embellishes the outward form, and style of living, by all the soft acquirements of luxury; yet, that the mind of

man, ever invariable, pursues, with avidity, that one darling system of visionary happiness, premised him by the propensity of his nature and disposition.

These propensities must naturally appear in different shapes, according to the versatility of the human mind. Thus, the moroseness which characterized the manners of some of our gloomy ancestors, is now changed into the deep thought of philosophy, and profound learning, or cynical censure on the manners of an age, miscalled, perhaps, corrupt! because we must still acknowledge, that the characters of mankind are only altered, in a great degree, by improvements in knowledge;

« ÎnapoiContinuă »