TO THE ART of THINKING THIRD EDITION. Enlarged with additional MAXIM Ś EDINBURGH: Printed for W. CREECH M, DCC,LXXV. PREFACE. E DUCATION, though of great importance to the public, as well as to individuals, is no where carried on in any perfect manner. Upon the revival of arts and sciences in Europe, the learned languages, being the only inlets to knowledge, occupied almoft the whole time that commonly can be spared for education. These languages are,and will always be, extremely ornamental; but, tho' they have become lefs effential to education than formerly, yet the fame plan continues without much variation. We never think of making improvements, becaufe cuftom and familiarity hide the defects of the established plan. THE faculty of reflecting, and of forming general obfervations, is capable of great improvements by proper exercife. This branch of educa a 2 tion, |