XXIV PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 



give, almost exclusively, information of a practical character ; but if occasionally 

 there may appear some slight digressions, my kind reader will regard them only 

 as watering-places on the journey, where the traveller loosens the reins and 

 dismounts for a moment in a dry and dusty road, that fre may renew his progress 

 with more freshness and vigor 



