PREFACE. 



1. IHAVE long desired to see such a Cow 

 pendium of Natural Philosophy, as was, 

 1. Not too diffuse, not expressed in many 

 words, but comprised in so moderate a 

 compass, as not to require any large ex- 

 pence, either of time or money. 2. Not 

 maimed or imperfect ; but containing the 

 heads of whatever (after all our discoveries) 

 is known with any degree of certainty, 

 either with regard to the earth or the hea- 

 vens. And this I wanted to see, 3. In 

 the plainest dress, simply and nakedly 

 expressed, in the most clear, easy, and in- 

 VOL. i. a 



