VI PREFACE. 



OMNIPOTENT BEING by whose Will they 

 \vere formed. 



When it is considered how liable all our 

 senses are to deception, and what wrong 

 ideas are generally formed of the different 

 parts of the universe from mere cursory ob- 

 servation, the absolute necessity of the dis- 

 'semination of true philosophical principles 

 will the more obviously appear. And if 

 the rudeness and imbecility of the human 

 mind in an uncultivated state of nature be 

 taken into the consideration, it will be the 

 more readily admitted, that every attempt 

 to extend the sphere of human knowledge 

 is laudable in its nature; and, if it be 

 found to answer the intention, is deserving 

 of encouragement. 



Being duly impressed with the force of 

 these reflections, and also recollecting that 

 it is the indispensable duty of every member 

 of society, to render himself as serviceable 

 to his fellow-creatures as his abilities will 

 allow, I was induced to apply my leisure 

 hours to the execution of a performance 

 which might in some measure tend to the 



instruction 



