PREFACE. vil 



mine, whether his, or the received 

 Theory of the Tides, that great engine 

 of Nature, be moft conformable to the 

 real order of the Globe. He no where 

 difcovers the fpirit of an adverfary; he 

 contends not for triumph, but for what 

 he deems to be truth ; he honours the 

 virtues of thofe whofe opinions he finds 

 himfelf conflrained to oppofe ; for, with 

 him, Goodnefs is ever in higher eftima- 

 tion than Science, and Probity than 

 Talents. 



He difcovers more than one trait of 

 refemblance to his illuftrious friend, and 



fellow-labourer in the field of Nature, 



* 



John-James Rouffeau\ the fame over 

 acute fenfibility, the fame occafional fits 

 of queruloufnefs, the fame irritability 

 under the flea-bitings of anonymous 

 criticifm. Saint^P terre ought to have 

 known that his im. mortal Work was 



A 4 to 



