An Enquiry into the Present State of Polite Learning in Europe

by Oliver Goldsmith

AN

 

ENQUIRY

 

INTO THE

 

PRESENT STATE

 

OF

 

POLITE LEARNING.

 

Εμοι πρὸς φιλοσοφους εστι φιλια. προς μεν τοι σοφιστας η γραμματιστας. ουτε νυν εστι φιλια μητε υστερον ποτε γενοιτο.

 

Tolerabile si Ædificia nostra diruerent Ædificandi capaces.

AN

ENQUIRY

INTO THE

PRESENT STATE

OF

POLITE LEARNING.

IN

EUROPE.

LONDON:
Printed for R. and J. Dodsley, in Pall-Mall.
M.DCC.LIX.

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THE

CONTENTS

CHAP. I.
INTRODUCTION,		Page 1
CHAP. II.
Of the decline of ancient learning		p. 8
CHAP. III.
A view of the obscure ages,		p. 31
CHAP. IV.
A parallel between ancient and modern learning,		p. 41
CHAP. V.
Of the present state of polite learning in Italy,		p. 45
CHAP. VI.
Concerning the decline of ancient and modern learning		p. 74
CHAP. VII.
The polite learning of England and France incapable of comparison,		p. 82
CHAP. VIII.
The present state of polite learning in France,		p. 98
CHAP. IX.
Of learning in Great Britain,		p. 117
CHAP. X.
Of the encouragement of learning,		p. 121
CHAP. XI.
Of Criticism,		p. 147
CHAP. XII.
Of the Stage,		p. 159
CHAP. XIII.
Of Universities,		p. 179
CHAP. XIV.
The Conclusion,		p. 195