PRINTING is the best gift that Nature, in its clemency has granted man. It will ere long change the face of the universe. From the narrow space of a printer's press, issues forth the most exalted and generous Ideas, which it will be impossible for man to resist;—he will adopt them even against his will, and the result is aleady visible.

PRINTING had scarcely been discovered when every thing seemd to assume a general and distinct bent towards perfection. Ideas became more pure; Despotism more civilized; and humanity held in higher repute; researches were made from all parts; men scrutinized, examined and laboured hard in order to overthrow the antient temple of Ignorance and Error; every attention was paid to the general good, and all undertakings received the seal of utility.

2Properly to comprehend this truth, one must not confine oneself within a city, but view the whole face of Europe, see the numerous useful establishments which have arisen in every country, cross the seas and look at America, and meditate on the astonishing change that has taken place.

The means of arriving at universal happiness are already marked out; (*) the present conceived^{pts is} the expansion of them; from this there is but one step requisite to put them in practice, look back and you will find whether ideas of a similar sort ^conceived some years ago have not been already realized, (1) and then judge of the strength and sense of human reason. When genius shall have bent against error the thunder of its majestic voice, what people are there who will not sooner or later hear it, and awake from the lethargy in which they have so long slumbered.

PRINTING, noble art, thou art able to counterbalance all the fire arms of the universe: (2) Thou art the counterpoise of that fatal power which would condemn all to slavery. PRINTING, thou art truly a celestial blessing to man. The tyrant surrounded by his guard, defended by hundreds of thousands of naked swords, insensible to the sting of conscience, will not be so to that of a pen. The dart will find its way to his heart, even in the bosom of grandeur! He would wish to smile and conceal the wound he has received: But it is the convulsion of rage which which agitates the tremulous lips, and he is punished, let him be ever so powerful. Yes, and his children would also be punished by inheriting his 3 detested name, did they not by their actions acquire a different fame.

The labours and successions of several ages will throw light on what is still involved in darkness, and no useful discovery will again be lost.

PRINTING will immortalize the books that have been dictated by the genius of humanity, and all these accumulated works and various thoughts improved by reflection will form a general code of law for nations. Even if nature were no more to provide any of those geniuses, of whom she is so sparing, the assiduity of ordinary minds will raise and sustain the edifice of physical knowledge. The mind of one single man may be exhausted, but not that of mankind.

Genius seems to walk with giant steps, because the sparks which fly from all parts of the globe may be united in one focus by the aid of PRINTING, whihc collects every scattered ray. Posterity will be much astonished at our ignorance, respecting many objects which time will have more clearly developed. From this we may infer, that it will be more agreeable to live some years hence than at present, for I have too good an opinion of man to believe he will reject the truths which crowd around him. The different branches of philosophy is beginning to be universally studied by all gentlemen who pretend to a liberla education, and well they deserve it to be so.—The advantages derived from this are manifest, it frees the mind from prejudice and superstition, fits it for the investigation of truth, induces habits of reasoning and judging properly, opens an inexhaustable source of entertainment, paves the way to the improvement of arts and 4 agriculture, and qualifies men for acting with propriety in the most important stations of life.

Philosophy is a beacon whih spreads afar its light; it has not an active power, yet it directs our course; it only points out the road; it is the wind that must swell the sails, and impel the vessel. True philosophy has never been the cause of troubles or crimes; it is the sublime voice of reason that speaks to the universe, and is only powerful when listened to. Man becomes enlightened unconsciously; he cannot reject truth; when cut and fashioned like to the diamond, it is unfolded by the hands of genius. There have been opinions, which, similar to the plague, have travelled round the world; have caused people to perish in the flames in Europe; to be massacred in America; have filled Asia with blood, and spread their ravages as far as the poles of the earth. The plague has had its run, it has only carried away about two thirds of the human race, but these barbarous extravagancies have reigned twelve hundred years, and degraded men beneath the brute creation. But, thanks to philosophy! since the revival of learning, through the aid of science, and, in particular, that memorable gift of celestial genius, the PRESS. Yes.—Philosophical writers are the benevolent sages who have arrested and disarmed this epdidemic disease, more dangerous than the most dreaded calamities.