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THROUGH SWEDEN. 135
ferent people on the fame fubjeét, which fingly might be of little
ufe; but when collected and concentrated may lead to important
confequences: hence enquiries are fet on foot, analogies are dif-
covered, theories formed, and fcience is enlarged. Befides this,
it is of great advantage for individuals to be fometimes interrupted
in the monotonous train of their own ideas, and to have them in-
termingled and varied by the conceptions of others. This acts
upon the mind as a ftimulus, and produces vigour and acutenefs ;
whereas a dull uniformity flackens its efforts. On the fubje@ of
literary focieties it may be farther obferved, that there is in every
human creature a defire to be regarded by his fellow-men with
complacency and refpect, and a propenfity to invite the fympathy
of our neighbours with our emotions of admiration, wonder, fur-
prize, and averfion. Hence the advantage of poffeffing a refpect-
able and congenial circle, ready to attend to our difcoveries and
lucubrations, is a powerful incitement to inquiry of various kinds,
and to conftant and accurate obfervation ; and the weight of ftudy
is relieved by focial delight. But the advantages of fuch focieties
are not confined to entertainment, or to pleafure mixed with in-
ftruction. They likewife have a happy moral effet: they ab-
ftra& men of leifure from frivolous or pernicious amufements ;
they fortify every humane fentiment, every virtuous purpofe, and
every laudable purfuit. Such is the natural tendency of literary.
focieties drawn together, as they at firft commonly are, by private
friendfhip, fimilarity of fentiments, and a genuine defire of infor-
mation and improvement; and it is commonly in their firft {tages
that
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