the PREFACE. xxxlii 



flexions on paft Things, that are the natural 

 Confequences of the mofl: innocent Pleafures, 

 as well as the mofl: guilty and flagrant Vices 

 J30W reigning in the World. 

 '-But when carried on in a well-regulated 

 Manner, what folid Pleafure is there that is 

 not to be found therein? Its Purfuit is eafy, 

 quiet, and fuch as put neither the Body 

 nor Mind into thofe violent Agitation or pre- 

 cipitate and imminent Dangers that many 

 other Exercifes (in themfelves very warrant- 

 able) do. The End of this is Health, Peace, 

 and Plenty, and the happy Profpeft of Feli- 

 cities more durable than any thing in thefe 

 fublunary Regions, and to which this is (next 

 to the Duties of Religion) the fureft Path. 



'Twas the Encouragement and Pradice of 

 thefe and fuch-like Virtuous and Emolumen- 

 tal Employs, that in a great meafure rais'd 

 the Splendor, and ft:ill helps to maintain the 

 Brightnefs of the Hiftories of thofe Ancient 

 and Univerfal Monarchies oi Perjia, Greece, 

 and Rome : x^nd the Negled:, that, amongft 

 fome other Reafons, portended their fatal and 

 unhappy Diffolutions. And the innumerable 

 Plans, Profpeftives, and IIifl:orical Account 

 of the magnificent Gardens of France and Ita!j^ 

 as they draw the Eyes of all Europe upon 

 them, fo they will hereafter make as corn- 

 pleat a Sett, and appear as glorious as the mi- 

 litary Ichnographies of thofe augufl: Nations. 



But to return, that I might the better per- 

 form my Duty in thefe Undertakings, and 

 V o L. I. c corred 



