“History furnishes us with sufficient examples of the truth of this; we need but look back into the state of ancient Greece and Rome, and we shall find that they flourished chiefly in times of peace, and that ’twas then their improvement in the learned arts were chiefly made, which verifies this, that peace is preferable to war. The latter of which resembles wild-fire, laying waste wherever it comes; the former may be compared to balmy sleep, strengthening the body politic, and diffusing over it a grateful recreation. War therefore ought to be dreaded, and all proper means used to avoid it, and obtain an honourable peace, since ’tis certain that peace is preferable to war.” There is yet one other specimen preserved, which, with that which precedes, is copied from the Professor’s own hand-writing. Scribendi recte sapere est principium et fons. “To write with correctness, elegance, and good sense, requires an able judgment, and a diffusive knowledge in literature. There must first be store of ideas treasured up, before any pure rivulets can flow from it. In short, ’tis necessary, in order to become a good writer, to understand well nature herself, to copy her in her paintings, to represent things in their true light, and then to decorate the descriptions with suitable language agreeable to Horace. Scribendi recte sapere est principium et fons. “Whose authority is to be regarded, as he was himself as accomplished a writer as any in the Augustan age. And most certain it is, that a good writer stands in need of all these qualifications, and a defect of them renders writing contemptible and ridiculous. For how can a writer represent a thing to the age, if he does not understand it thoroughly himself? “How can he describe it properly, if he does not understand the effect it produces, and the consequences which follow it? ’Tis only a clear understanding of the subject in all its various branches, that can constitute a good writer; so that Horace’s rule, though applied by him to poetical performances, may with equal reason be adapted to other writings, and we may with him conclude, that Scribendi recte sapere est principium et fons.” A casual and slight perusal of the above composition, may perhaps not discover any indication of those very superior abilities, which were afterwards exercised in an elevated station, and admired by the world; but more serious examination will detect beneath the surface something like manly reflection, arrangement of ideas, and, if it may be so said, of syllogistic reasoning. The subject is alluring, and what observes our Sexagenarian in his Notes forbids its being pursued somewhat further? Laud we the gods once more! For now at last the sacred influence Of light appears, and from the walls of heaven Shoots far into the bosom of dim night A glimmering dawn. CHAPTER XXXII.