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the progrefs of the human mind, in a in all nations, in that way.-Farewell.

Mr. r - has some literary friends he to give him soon good information upon which I will let you know in due tim heard it observed, that the Portugues authors: But in 1731 three volumes printed at Lisbon, called Bibliotheca Lus only the names, and an account of the works of Portuguese authors. I have t I now and then look into it; but I find it vice of most of their works, full of ep bombast.-Farewell.

THERE can be no doubt but if your would come to Lifbon, he w up a great deal of useful information:make a good paragraph in his preface went to Portugal on purpose. I fhould glad to see him here, and would willin him every afsistance in my power. have seen in my library, twenty volumes the Casa Real, in which are six volumes o of authentic old papers, quite in the way I

wants.

Mr

Y

tells me he is informed Abade

is about a work something similar to tha Mr has thought of. He has th ection of the Duc de Lafoens, with

ty to search the public archives. This Abades a great friend of H- -s, I make no doubt but you must have seen him at Lisbon. I cannot say how equal he may be to the undertaking, but from your account of Mr I think he would make

more of the matter, with the liberty of a British pen.

ACCOUNT

OF THE

THEY

· PROCEEDINGS OF THE SWEDISH ACADEMY, Instituted for the purpose of perfecting the Swedish language, It has been often remarked, that an attention to language is the surest proof of the progrefs that any state has made in civilization; yet, if we were to adopt this rule as a criterion, and to judge from the public national institutions only, Britain would seem to be among the most uncivilized nations in Europe: For, while the sovereigns of other states. have instituted academies to purify and reform their respective languages, that of Great Britain has been left without any sort of protection to the caprice of individuals. This is perhaps a consequence of that spirit of freedom we pofsefs, and may possibly be accounted a striking feature of that national character we display in such an eminent degree in several other respects. Yet, it is to be regretted, that so few attempts fhould have been made, to perfect a language which possefses a force and energy, that, with a little attention and polish, might perhaps be made, for all the purVOL. vii.

H

In this point of view, the public ha debted to Dr Johnson for what he has dictionary; and although that work misleads, instead of informing the read instead of bringing obloquy on the perso his best to serve the public, ought only to others to correct those errors, and supply fects which escaped him. If every indi stead of acquiescing implicitly in the would candidly do this, we might hope derive great advantages from the joint a the republic of letters; but so long as n lities fhall voluntarily fhut their eyes, a rage their inferiors from exercising the their understanding on this subject, er continue to multiply. Much is to be from the labours of Mr Croft, whose pro tionary of the English language the p reason to expect with impatience. Yet dictionary, being the work of an indivi must be deficient in many respects; and appears, it can only be corrected by havin neral attention of men of letters turned to ject. To forward this object, we fhall pleased to insert from time to time, a few tions on language in this miscellany.

It is many years since a standard dictiona Italian language was published by the acad la Crusca. A splendid dictionary of the Janguage has been published by the royal

of Madrid. The academy of Belles letters at Paris, has been long busied in polifhing and perfecting the French language. A magnificent dictionary of the languages of Rufsia is now going forward, under the patronage of the emprefs. The prince of Denmark has bestowed unwearied attention, for some years past, to perfect the Norwegian language; and the following sketches, will give some idea of what is now going on in Sweden, in regard to this important subject. The German, and the English, seem to be the only two that are neglected, though it is probable that half the books published in Europe are written in these two languages.

Proceedings of the Swedish academy, &c.

The Swedish academy, instituted April 5th 1786, for the cultivation of poetry and eloquence, consisting of eighteen members exclusive of the sovereign, who is its patron, and generally attends its meetings, when he happens to be in the city or its environs, was opened with the following speech, delivered by his majesty. We have, however, to premise, that all the discourses of this prince have such a force, and at the same time, such an inimitable delicacy, that he alone could give any translation that would express the strength and beauty of the original. It is said that all his first sketches are written in French, and may perhaps hereafter be published in that language.

Speech of the king of Sweden.

"The welfare of my kingdom is always the chief object of my care. The glory of the Swedish

cause of fresh distress to my countrymen. of another kind remains for us to acquire,learning, and the polite arts; a glory t brave the power of time, and the hazards This glory belongs to these happy mom peace and tranquility, which give the mind to yield to that ardour which animates, to which remains at rest, during tempestuous though these have often excited it. But tranquility of a long peace can contribute happiness of a state, it is often the source o lence which tends to barb arity. It enervat of genius, who at other times would have e ened their fellow citizens, and done honour t country. Men are so formed, that they a mated only by being put in motion. Po motives are necefsary to excite them to cu the gifts of nature: But sometimes the s calm broods stormy revolutions, unless an tive prudence give employment to genius, a hope of honours and celebrity, prevent then giving way to a lethargy, equally hurtful to selves and the state. To excite emulation i sciences and polite literature, is the means of serving, during peace, this fire of genius, whic forming citizens capable of succouring it in of trouble, may benefit the state.

"But unless the language have attained a tain degree of celebrity, the glory of those

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