A few of these might be gathered in; while to some, who love the tone
and humour of the old ballads, they would be an acquisition of great
value. But the intercourse between master and man, between town and
country, and even amongst the learned themselves, becomes so cold and
repulsive, either from increasing refinement or reserve, that there
seems little hope of our finding any one who will take the trouble to
collect them, or a sufficient number of real admirers of these relics
who would come forward to ensure a suitable reward for the labour. We
are sorely disgraced among foreigners for inattention to the course and
progress of our own learning. No work exists, like those which
illustrate and embellish the French, Italian, and German literature,
which professes to give a summary view of its history. The knowledge of
its antiquities, its customs, manners, laws, modes of feeling, and
pursuits, except in the instances before mentioned, and a few other
praiseworthy exceptions, have been shamefully obscured by an eagerness
for supporting a system, the ridiculous rivalry of pretence, and by the
discredit thrown upon such labours by modern pedantry.
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