at the end of these English writers;
because that is his place, when considered as an author. It may safely
be affirmed, that the mediocrity of James's talents in literature,
joined to the great change in national taste, is one cause of that
contempt under which his memory labors, and which is often carried by
party writers to a great extreme. It is remarkable, how different from
ours were the sentiments of the ancients with regard to learning. Of the
first twenty Roman emperors, counting from Caesar to Severus, above the
half were authors; and though few of them seem to have been eminent in
that profession, it is always remarked to their praise, that by their
example they encouraged literature. Not to mention Germanicus, and his
daughter Agrippina, persons so nearly allied to the throne, the greater
part of the classic writers whose works remain, were men of the highest
quality. As every human advantage is attended with inconveniencies, the
change of men's ideas in this particular may probably be ascribed to the
invention of printing; which has rendered books so common, that even men
of slender fortunes can have access to them.

That James was but a middling writer, may be allowed: that he was a
contemptible one, can by no means be admitted. Whoever will read his
Basilicon Doron, particularly the two last books, the true law of free
monarchies, his answer to Cardinal Perron, and almost all his speeches
and messages to parliament, will confess him to have possessed no mean
genius. If he wrote concerning witches and apparitions; who, in that age
did not admit the reality of these fictitious beings? If he has composed
a commentary on the Revelations, and proved the pope to be Antichrist;
may not a similar reproach be extended to the famous Napier; and even to
Newton, at a time when learning was much more advanced than during the
reign of James? From the grossness of its superstitions we may infer the
ignorance of an age; but never should pronounce concerning the folly
of an individual, from his admitting popular errors, consecrated by the
appearance of religion.

Such a superiority do the pursuits of literature possess above every
other occupation, that even he who attains but a mediocrity in them,
merits the preeminence above those that excel the most in the common and
vulgar professions. The speaker of the house of commons is usually an
eminent lawyer; yet the harangue of his majesty will always be found
much superior