1 merely, which, as in France, was a bulwark to the monarch against the peasants. The great fuperiority of the Peruvian Incas, as demi-gods, did not admit a hereditary nobility. With respect to the progrefs of arts and manufactures, the two nations differed widely in Mexico, arts and manufactures were carried to a furprising height, confidering the tools they had to work with in Peru, they had made no progrefs; every man, as among mere favages, providing the neceffaries of life for himfelf. As the world goes at present, our multiplied wants require fuch numbers, that not above one of a hundred can be fpared for war. In ancient times, when thefe wants were few and not much enlarged beyond nature, it is computed that an eighth part could be fpared for war: and hence the numerous armies we read of in the history of ancient nations. The Peruvians had it in their power to go ftill farther it was poffible to arm the whole males capable of service: leaving the women to fupply the few neceffaries that might be wanted during a short campaign; and accordingly we find that the Incas were great conquerors. The The religion of the Peruvians, confidered in a political light, was excellent. The veneration they paid their fovereign upon a false religious principle, was their only fuperftition; and that fuperftition contributed greatly to improve their morals and their manners: on the other hand, the religion of Mexico was execrable. Upon the whole, there never was a country deftitute of iron, where arts feem to have been carried higher than in Mexico: and, bating their religion, there never was a country deftitute of writing, where government feems to have been more perfect. I except not the government of Peru, which, not being founded on political principles, but on fuperftition, might be more mild, but was far from being fo folidly founded. VOL. III. A a SKETCHES SKETCHES OF THE HISTORY OF MAN. воок III. Progrefs of SCIENCES. PREFACE. Morality, Theology, and the Art of Reafoning, are three great branches of a learned education; and justly held to be so, being our only fure guides in passing through the intricate paths of life. They are indeed not effential to thofe termed men of the world: the most profound philofopher makes but an infipid figure in fashionable company; would be fomewhat ridiculous at a court-ball; and an abfolute abfurdity among the gamefters at Ar thur's, thur's, or jockeys at Newmarket. But, these cogent objections notwithstanding, I venture to pronounce fuch ftudies to be not altogether unfuitable to a gentleman. Man is a creature full of curiofity; and to gratify that appetite, many roam through the world, fubmitting to heat and cold, nay to hunger and thirst, without a figh. Could indeed that troublesome guest be expelled, we might hug ourfelves in ignorance; and, like true men of the world, undervalue knowledge that cannot procure money, nor a new fenfual pleasure. But, alas! the expulfion is not in the power of every one; and those who must give vent to their curiofity, will naturally employ it upon ftudies that make them good members of fociety, and endear them to every person of virtue. And were we even men of the world in fuch perfection, as to regard nothing but our own intereft; yet does not ignorance lay us open to the crafty and defigning? and does not the art of reafoning guard many an honest man from being misled by fubtile fophifms? With respect to right and wrong, not even paffion is more dangerous than error. And as to religion, better it were to fettle in a conviction that there is no God, than to be in a ftate of wavering and fluctuation; fometimes indulging every loofe defire, as if we were· not accountable beings; and fometimes yielding to fuperftitious fears, as if there were no god but the devil. To a well-difpofed mind, the existence of a fupreme benevolent Deity, appears highly probable: and if by the study of theology that probability be improved into a certainty, the conviction of a fupreme Deity who rules with equity and mildnefs, will be a fource of conftant enjoyment, which I boldly Let above the titillating pleasures of external fenfe. Poffibly there may be lefs prefent amufement in abstract ftudies, than in newspapers, in party-pamphlets, or in Hoyl upon Whift: but let us for a moment anticipate futurity, and imagine that we are reviewing paft tranfactions,-how pleasant the retrospect of those who have maintained the dignity of their nature, and employ'd their talents to the beft purposes! Contradictory opinions that have influence on practice, will be regretted by every perfon of a found heart; and as erroneous opinions are commonly the refult of imperfect education, I would gladly hope, that a remedy is not altogether out of reach. At the revival of arts and Sciences, the learned languages were |