PREFATORY ADDRESS. 



MANY experiments, much labour and thought,, a 

 desire to be usefully employed, with the leisure afforded 

 by a retired life, proceeding from the res angusti domi, 

 have enabled the Author to present the following Trea- 

 tise to the Public. 



The importance of such a Work, and the peculiar 

 fitness of it at this jun&ure, have induced him of late to 

 dedicate the whole of his time to its compilation and 

 arrangement; acc mplished with much personal incon- 

 venience, and to the apparent neglet of some, important 

 duties and family concerns, which otherwise would have 

 claimed his prior regard. 



The 



