PREFACE. 



\ MAN who has hlmfelf derived 

 •^ ^ pleafure, or inftru6lion, from the 

 perufal of- a Book, naturally wifhes to 

 have thefe advantages communicated to 

 others ; for we prefume, that what has 

 lingularly affecîted ourfelves, is likely to 

 produce a fimilar impreffion on the reft 

 of Mankind. I have read few Perform- 

 ances with more complete fatisfaftion, 

 and with greater improvement, than the 

 Studies of Nature: in no one have I 

 found the ufeful and the agreeable more 

 happily blended. What Work of Sci- 

 ence difplays a more fublime Theology, 

 inculcates a purer Morality, or breathes 

 a more ardent and more expanlive Phi- 

 lanthropy? Salnt-Plerre has enabled 



A3 me 



