the French, seems
in point of Universality to have supplied its place. It is spoken in
all the Courts of Europe; and most of the Literati, those even who do
not speak it, have acquired Knowledge enough of it to enable them
easily to read the Books that are written in it. This gives a
considerable Advantage to that Nation; it enables its Authors to
inculcate and spread through other Nations such Sentiments and
Opinions on important Points, as are most conducive to its Interests,
or which may contribute to its Reputation by promoting the common
Interests of Mankind. It is perhaps owing to its being written in
French, that Voltaire's Treatise on _Toleration_ has had so sudden
and so great an Effect on the Bigotry of Europe, as almost entirely
to disarm it. The general Use of the French Language has likewise a
very advantageous Effect on the Profits of the Bookselling Branch of
Commerce, it being well known, that the more Copies can be sold that
are struck off from one Composition of Types, the Profits increase in
a much greater Proportion than they do in making a great Number of
Pieces in any other Kind of Manufacture. And at present there is no
Capital Town in Europe without a French Bookseller's Shop
corresponding with Paris.
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