Excerpt from Elements of General Knowledge, Introductory to Useful Books in the Principal Branches of Literature and Science: Designed Chiefly for the Junior Students in the Universities, and the Higher Classes in Schools; Two Volumes in One

Many of my Quotations are selected from Such works, as, either from their size, number of volumes, or scarceness, do not frequently come within the reach of young men. If some of them are borrowed from more obvious and popular works, their peculiar beauty, strength, and appositeness, it is presumed, will justify their introduction. But elegant as my quotations may be In point of style, conclusive as to reasoning, or striking as to the impression they are calculated to make; bthe'y will not completely answer the intended purpose, if, while they raise a high Opinion of the merit of their authors, they do not excite an eager curiosity to peruse more of their works.

If I should be fortunate enough to succeed in pro curing for eminent writers any additional degree of regard; if I should excite a more ardent and more active attention to any branches of useful knowledge; and if the variety of my topics should contribute to diffuse more widely the light of general information and useful truth I shall have the satisfaction to reflect that my time has not been sacrificed to a frivolous purpose by thus endeavouring, In conformity with the occupations of the most valuable portion of my life, to instruct the rising generation.

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