PREFACE, V^j 



la let) tor students of a different description: for 

 those \vho, vviihout having leisure to devote 

 themselves wholly to the study of this science, 

 would not vvish to be totally ignorant of the 

 world in which they live. To instruct the 

 youthful mind, in regard to the most important 

 subjects of enquiry in the system of nature is the 

 avowed design of this undertaking; and, iude-ed* 

 A volume of so small a size cannot be supposed 

 to he intended for t lie use of the professed rmtu- 

 i:alist. Without, therefore, pretending to criti- 

 cise the works of other writers on this subject, 

 or to depreciate their merit, which in many is 

 Conspicuous, it will not be amiss to say some- 

 thing of the manner in which it is here treated* 

 lii the first place, a view is given to tire- young, 

 student of the grandeur of the universe, and of 

 lh<j structure of the solar system. Some of tii 

 inosl striking objects which ihU globe presents, 

 such as seas, mountains, volcanoes, Sec. are next 

 brought forward to his inspection: his attention 

 ia then called to the winds, tides, exhalations, 

 and other remarkable phenomena of the earth 

 and the atmosphere; and afterwards to the prin- 

 cipal metals, minerals, and other subterraneous 

 productions. All these being described in a 

 manner equally plain and concise, a sketch is 

 given of the beauties and utility of vegetation, 

 and a general view of the inanimate creation 

 being thus exhibited, the transition is made to 

 animated nature, which, as it is to youth the- 

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