reſolved to juſtify it upon all occaſions, and in any manner.
With regard to that part, which relates to the Exerciſes and Diſcipline of the univerſity, I muſt put the reading in mind, that I repreſent them as they ſtood nine or ten years ago, the time when I lay the ſcene of theſe papers; for I muſt confeſs that, of late years, ſome wiſe Regulations have been introduced in thoſe reſpects.
I mentioned[1] one of my papers, that ſuch a Reformation was then begun in ſome Colleges; and I am ſince aſſured that it has got footing in the publick Exerciſes of the univerſity. I am well informed that the Diſcipline in general is more ſtrictly regarded; that the[2] Collectors have been lately curb'd in their exorbitances; that Locke, Clarke, and Sir Iſaac Newton begin to find countenance in the ſchools, and that Ariſtotle ſeems to totter on his antient throne. But, I hope, that I ſhall not be charged with falſification, for repreſenting things as they formerly ſtood, becauſe they have ſince been alter'd and reformed. I would not, from hence, be thought to arrogate the leaſt part of this Reformation to myſelf; but, with the utmoſt pleaſure, am ready to impute it, where it is juſtly due, to the prevailing good ſenſe, and unprejudiced underſtanding of ſeveral ingenious young Gentlemen,