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PREFATORY NOTE 



'W^HIS book, like its companions in the same series, has been 

 (3^ produced by the Publishers with a view of providing 

 biographical reading of a wholesome and instructive character, 

 free from sectarian bias of any kind. The importance of 

 invention and discovery in all moral, commercial, and 

 intellectual progress will be readily conceded by every one, and 

 little apology is needed now in presenting examples of some of 

 those eminent in these departments. The articles on James 

 Watt, Robert Boyle, and Sir Humphrey Davy are drawn from 

 a well-known book, " The Pursuit of Knowledge under Diffi- 

 culties," by the late Professor Craik; London, 1830; with 

 some slight exceptions, the other articles composing the bulk of 

 the book are selected from copyright material placed at the 

 disposal of the Editor for use in the present volume. 



