To promote the Fine Arts in Britain, has become of greater importance than is generally imagined. A flourishing commerce begets opulence; and opulence, inflaming our appetite for pleasure, is commonly vented on luxury, and on every sensual gratification: Selfishness rears its head; becomes fashionable; and, infecting all ranks, extinguishes the amor patriae, and every spark of public spirit. To prevent or to retard fuch fatal corruption, the genius of an Alfred cannot devise any means more efficacious, than the venting opulence upon the Fine Arts: riches fo employed, inftead of encouraging vice, will excite both public and private virtue. Of this happy effect, ancient Greece furnishes one fhining inftance; and why fhould we de fpair of another in Britain?

IN

IN the commencement of an aufpicious reign, and even in that early period of life when pleasure commonly is the fole purfuit, your Majefty has uniformly displayed to a delighted people, the nobleft principles, ripened by early culture; and, for that reafon, you will be the more difpofed to favour every rational plan for advancing the art of training up youth. Among the many branches of education, that which tends to make deep impreffions of virtue, ought to be a fundamental object in a well-regulated government: for depravity of manners will render ineffectual the moft falutary laws; and, in the midft of opulence, what other means to prevent fuch depravity but early and virtuous difcipline? The British discipline is fufceptible of great improvements; and, if we can hope for them, it must be from a young and accomplished Prince, eminently fenfible of their impor

tance.

tance. To establish a complete system of education, seems referved by Providence for a Sovereign who commands the hearts of his subjects. Succefs will crown the undertaking, and endear GEORGE THE THIRD to our latest posterity.

THE moft elevated and moft refined pleasure of human nature, is enjoyed by a virtuous Prince governing a virtuous people; and that, by perfecting the great fyftem of education, your Majefty may very long enjoy this pleasure, is the ardent wish of

Your Majesty's

Devoted Subje&,

HENRY HOME.

December 1761.

то THE

SECOND EDITION.

PRIN

RINTING, by multiplying copies at will, affords to writers great opportunity of receiving inftruction from every quarter. The author of this treatise, having always been of opinion that the

general tafte is feldom wrong, was refolved from the beginning to fubmit to it with entire refignation: its fevereft disapprobation might have incited him to do better, but never to complain. Finding now the judgment of the public to be favourable, ought he not to draw fatisfaction from it? He would be devoid of fenfibility were he not greatly fatisfied. Many criticisms have indeed reached his ear; but they are candid and benevolent, if not always juft. Gratitude, therefore, had there been no other motive, muft have roufed his utmost industry,