xxxii PREFACE. 



So much for the prefent, of the progrcfs, 

 prefent ftate, and future improvement, of Na- 

 tural Geography and Mineralogy. More 

 might have been faid on this iubject, but it 

 is fufficient to have pointed out the view, -iii T 

 which the prefent publication is to be confi- 

 dered by candid readers. I cannot finim with- 

 out adding, that Mr. Berbers ftyle might 

 have been more lively, and that my tranflation 

 might have been more correct. I am fen^ 

 fible of this; but could not poffibly, in 

 the quality of tranflator, alter the ftyle of 

 a book, which is to fland by its contents, 

 and was never meant to be a piece of elo~ 

 quence. It was my chief attention, and my 

 duty, to make it intelligible and ufeful. I 

 have accordingly taken great pains to give 

 the true fenfe ; and have added explanatory 

 Notes and an Index, which, it is prefumed, will 

 be acceptable. Nor have I been inattentive to 

 language, and the correction of the prefs, 

 If, however, any trace of incorreclnefs mould 

 remain, as it is juftly to be apprehended there 

 may ; I requefr. from my readers a part of 



that 



