PREFACE. xlx 



* things are going on in fecret which we 



* know nothing of ! How many things are 



* there which this age firft was acquainted 



* with ! How many things that we are ig- 



* norant of will come to hght when all 



* memory of us (hall be no more ! For 



* nature does not at once reveal all her fe- 



* crets. We are apt to look on ourfelves as 



* already admitted into the fanduary of her 



* temple, we are ftill only in the porch. I 



* have entered, adds he, into the thick and 



* fhady woods of nature, which are every 



* where befet with thorns and briars. I 



* have endeavored as much as pouible to 



* keep clear of them, but e^fperience has 



* taught me that there is no man fo circum- 



* fpe(ft as never to forget himfelf, and there- 

 ^ fore i have born with patience the fneers of 



* the malevolent, andthebuffoneriesofthofe 



* whofe vivacity is exerted only to mo- 



* left and give offence to others. I have m 



* fpite of thefe infults, kept on fteadily ia 



* my old path, and have finifhed the courfe 

 ^ I was deftined for.' 



The latter part of this paflage, fliews that 

 a 2 he 



