Prospectus: constitution: by-laws.

  • Royal Society of Literature
Date:
[1824]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Prospectus: constitution: by-laws. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    7/38 page 5
    Celebrity superior to that of any similar Establishment in the World. In later times the Fame and Utility of those Academies have given birth to a great variety of similar Societies, not only in the different Nations of Europe, but in the United States of America, and the British Settlements in the East Indies; all which, as we are informed, have had the most decisive and evident influence on the Progress of Human Reason and Knowledge, in the several Countries of which they are the Ornaments. The substantial Benefits derived from Societies of this Nature to those Sciences, which are conversant with the Material World, viz. the various Branches of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Medicine, Agriculture, and the Mechanical Arts, are incontrovertible, and universally admitted. What good or plausible reason can be assigned why similar advantages may not accrue from similar Societies in those Sciences, which are conversant with the Intellectual World, viz. Grammar, Rhetoric, Criticism, Poetry, History, Morals, and Polity ? Are our Knowledge and Taste on these Subjects incapable of Augmentation or Improvement ? or, is there not good reason to believe that both might be essentially benefited by an Investigation of their Laws and Principles with the same caution and the same spirit that have guided our Physical Inquiries? To enumerate the existing Deficiencies in the various Classes of Literature and Polite Learning, and the Improvements they are capable of, would be a long and arduous task. In a general view it may be remarked, that in Languages we know little of their Origin and Formation, and still less of the mutual influence which Thought and Language have on each other. The primary Laws and Elements of Good Writing require to be more exactly defined and firmly established; and with respect to our Native Tongue, much Cultivation is wanted to rectify what has been depraved, to resist capricious innovation, to proscribe its absurdities, and preserve its purity. In History the migrations of man- kind are far from being satisfactorily traced ; the Monumental Remains which have of late been progressively brought to light, by the intrepid and patient researches of modem Travellers, have afforded ample Materials for illustrating the Mythology, Manners, and Genius of the most Ancient Nations. In the Progress of Discovery, we may hope to put Ancient Chronology, which is at present in a worse state than that of Natural Philosophy before the times of Bacon and Newton, upon a more solid and permanent Foundation, and to improve our knowledge of Geography, by defining more clearly the boundaries of Kingdoms and Provinces in past ages, by ascertaining the sites of Cities and Temples, and tracing the ancient Courses of Rivers. In the Science of the Mind, our Knowledge of the Laws, the Limits, and the Resources of the Human Under- standing, is yet imperfect. In Moral Philosophy our Investigations may still be beneficially directed, in tracing with analytical accuracy, the Phenomena of Human Nature to their first Principles in the Constitution and Condition of Man. In Political Philosophy, incalculable Improvements may be made by wide Surveys of the various Conditions of Human Society. In this Science the Principles of Population; the natural course of Rent, Profit, and Wages; the influence of the Reformations and Revolutions, of the Inventions and Commerce of Modern Times, are fertile Fields of Discovery and
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