3 79^* '^''^ scientific government. 319 



nitv, into whose hands these poor papers of mine may 

 happen to fall, afsuring you, that, could I suppose that 

 my suggestions of this contemplation would, in the 

 smallest degree, tend to promote a general conversa- 

 tion on the subject, I fliould think the object, great as 

 it is, almost certain of being attained. It is not grave 

 and voluminous books that touch the public mind, but 

 vivid flaflies of truth that call a general attention, and 

 by degrees move the mighty machine of popular opi- 

 nion. I am, Mr Editor, with regard, 



your humble servant, 



Albanicus. 



Remarks on- the above bt the Editor. 



I have found, by experience, what I would not have 

 expected, from reasoning a priori, that many of my 

 readers are inclined to believe, that I myself adopt 

 the sentiments of all the wu'iters whose lucubrations 

 appear in this miscellany. Were this, however, 

 to be the case, the work would very soon fall in- 

 to deserved contempt. Truth is the great object of 

 pursuit with me ; but how could that be attained, 

 were the performances of all those who think difi'e- 

 rently from myself, to be refused admifsion into it ? 

 Should I err, would not this conduct be effectually fliut- 

 ling the doors against the admifsion of truth ? This 

 would counteract the avowed intention of the author. 



The ingenious performance above, is probably writ- 

 ten by one who has had mucli better opportunities 

 of observing f2'.c(;s, and who is much more capable of 

 drawing proper inferences from these than 1 could 

 do. I am proud to, lay them before the public. with- 

 -cut /disguise, thovgh I am by no means prepared to 



