DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.73712#0019
OF
ANTHONY RAPHAEL MENGS,
FIRST PAINTER AT THE CABINET OF
CHARLES THE III. KING OF SPAIN.
Themajor part of mankind pass their days upon
earth, without ressecting even on the blessings
and ease of which they partake, much lets on
the individual, to whose genius, and labour they-
are indebted for many of their most valuable en-
joyments. This almost general ingratitude arises
from ignorance, and idleness; it being congenial
to our corrupt nature to seek such pleasures only
as can be enjoyed without fatigue. Ours is not-
withflanding the age in which, more than in any
other, mankind have risen from such inactivity,
by conquering vice, and making virtue trium-
phant. This age will perhaps be distinguished
by posterity as the age of inquietude. Arts,
Sciences, Politics, the fortune of Nations, and of
individuals, and lastly of domestic life, all are in
continual movement, and agitation. Such acti-
vity has necessarily been able to produce an im-
mense display of every kind of useful knowledge,
vol. I. B
ANTHONY RAPHAEL MENGS,
FIRST PAINTER AT THE CABINET OF
CHARLES THE III. KING OF SPAIN.
Themajor part of mankind pass their days upon
earth, without ressecting even on the blessings
and ease of which they partake, much lets on
the individual, to whose genius, and labour they-
are indebted for many of their most valuable en-
joyments. This almost general ingratitude arises
from ignorance, and idleness; it being congenial
to our corrupt nature to seek such pleasures only
as can be enjoyed without fatigue. Ours is not-
withflanding the age in which, more than in any
other, mankind have risen from such inactivity,
by conquering vice, and making virtue trium-
phant. This age will perhaps be distinguished
by posterity as the age of inquietude. Arts,
Sciences, Politics, the fortune of Nations, and of
individuals, and lastly of domestic life, all are in
continual movement, and agitation. Such acti-
vity has necessarily been able to produce an im-
mense display of every kind of useful knowledge,
vol. I. B