The Age, we live in, has been, not undeservedly, esteem’d a knowing one:  But to the Learned Clergy much has been owing for its having obtain’d that Character; and tho’ some few Gentlemen have been the greatest advancers of Learning amongst us; yet they are very rare who apply themselves to any Science that is curious:  And as for such knowledge as is no less than requisite for Men of Families, and Estates to have in regard of the proper business of their Station; it may, I think, be said that never was this more neglected than at present; since there is not a commoner complaint in every County than of the want of Gentlemen Qualified for the Service of their Country, viz. to be Executors of the Law, and Law Makers; both of which it belonging to this Rank of English Men to be, some insight into the Law which they are to see Executed, and into that Constitution which they are to support, cannot but be necessary to their well dischargeing these Trusts:  Nor will this Knowledge be sufficiently Servicable to the Ends herein propos’d, without some Acquaintance likewise with History, Politicks, and Morals.  Every one of these then are parts of Knowledge which an English Gentleman cannot, without blame, be Ignorant of, as being essential to the duly Qualifying him for what is his proper business.

But whether we farther look upon such Men as having Immortal Souls that shall be for ever Happy or Miserable, as they comply with the Terms which their Maker has propos’d to them; or whether we regard them as Protestants, whose Birthright it is not blindly to Believe, but to Examine their Religion; Or consider them only as Men whose ample Fortunes allow them leisure for so important a Study, they are without doubt oblig’d to understand the Religion they profess.  Adding this then to what it is above concluded a Gentleman ought to know, let us examine how common such Knowledge only is amongst our Gentlemen, as we see, without just matter of Reproach to them, they cannot want:  No one, I think, will deny that so much knowledge as this is so little ordinary, as that those are apparently the far greater number who have never consider’d any part hereof as an Acquisition, which they ought to make; and that they are but a few comparatively, and pass among us for Men extraordinary, who have but a competent knowledge in any one of the above-mention’d things.

What is by the Obligations of their Duty exacted from them in this regard, seems to be very little reflected on by them; and as for other Considerations, which, as Gentlemen, might be thought to induce them, their Ancestors care has distinguish’d them from their Tenants, and other inferior Neighbours, by Titles and Riches; and that is all the distinction which they desire to have; believing it, in respect of Knowledge, sufficient, if they did once understand a little Latin or Logick in the University; which whoso still retains, altho’ he has made no use thereof to the real improvement of his understanding, is yet thought very highly accomplish’d, and passes (in the Country) for Learned.