ON EDUCATIO N. BY ELIZABETH HAMILTON, Author of the "Memoirs of Modern Philosophers," &c. DUBLIN: PRINTED FOR H. COLBERT, 136, CAPEL-STREET, 1801. INTRODUCTION. THE degeneracy of mankind in the prefent period, compared with the preceding, has been a favourite theme of declamation in every age. But declamation has not the force of argument: the former may embellish fophiftry, but it is only the latter that can elicit truth. To form a juft and true eftimate of the degeneracy or improvement of any particular period, requires fuch an accurate and extenfive knowledge of circumftances and events, fuch elevated and comprehenfive views of caufes and effects; that few, even among the wifeft of the fons of men, can be fuppofed equal to the task. |