passions and prejudices; which have increased with his learning, and which, when he comes to be better acquainted with human life and human nature, he is soon sensible and ashamed of; but perhaps is never able to conquer as long as he lives, for want of that assistance which he ought to have received in his education; for a wrong education is one of those three things to which it is owing (as an ancient Christian and philosopher justly observes) that so few have the right government of their passions 8.

I would not be thought to depreciate any part of human literature, but should be glad to see this most useful branch of science, the knowledge of the heart, the detecting and correcting hurtful prejudices, and the right government of the temper and passions, in more general esteem; as necessary at once to form the gentleman, the scholar, and the Christian.

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Εγγινονται δε τα φαυλα παθη τη ψυχη δια τριων τουτων· δια κακης αγωγης, εξ αμαθιως υπο καχεξίας· μη αχθεντες γαρ καλως εκ παιδων ως δυνασθαι κρατειν των παθων εις της αμετρίαν αυτων εμπιμπτομεν.—Bad passions spring up in the mind three ways; viz. through a bad education, great ignorance, or a disorder in the animal frame. (1.) From a bad education: for if we have not been taught from our childhood to govern our passions with all possible care they will soon come to have the government of us. Nemes. de Nat. Hom. p. 182.

And if there be any thing in this short Treatise which may be helpful to students, who have a regard to the right government of their minds, whilst they are furnishing them with useful knowledge, I would particularly recommend it to their perusal.

I have nothing further to add, but to desire the reader's excuse for the freedom with which I have delivered my sentiments in this matter, and for detaining him so long from his subject; which I now leave to his candid and serious thoughts, and the blessing of Almighty God to make it useful to him.

JOHN SHARPE DUKE STREET, PICCADILLY:

JAN 1.1824.

A

TREATISE

OF

SELF-KNOWLEDGE.

PART FIRST.

CHAPTER I.

THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT.

A DESIRE of knowledge is natural to the mind of man and nothing discovers the true quality and disposition of the mind more than the particular kind of knowledge it is most fond of.

Thus we see that low and little minds are most delighted with the knowledge of trifles; as in children: an indolent mind, with that which serves only for amusement, or the entertainment of the fancy: a curious mind is best pleased with facts: a judicious penetrating mind, with demonstration and mathematical science: a worldly mind esteems no knowledge like that of the world: but a wise and pious man, before all other kinds of knowledge, prefers that of God and his own soul.

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