PREFACE. 



IX 



none of his readers should be able to derive either 

 entertainment or information from the following 

 sheets, he has the satisfaction of reflecting, that 

 he himself derived both from the labour of pre- 

 paring them for the press. 



Though the greater part of this work consists 

 of compilation; yet the writer claims to be some- 

 thing, more than a mere compiler. He has offer- 

 ed, where he thought proper, opinions, reflections, 

 and reasonings of his own; and though many of 

 these are adopted, perhaps too hastily, from others, 

 there are some of which all the praise and all the 

 blame belong to himself. He is not, however, 

 solicitous to discriminate, even if it were possible, 

 between these several parts of the work. If the 

 exhibition of facts and opinions, so far as it goes, 

 be tolerably just, the question whence they ori- 

 ginated is of little consequence to the reader. 



With respect to the division and arrangement 

 of the subjects, it was judged advisable to adopt 

 rather a popular than a scientific plan. This plan 

 is, no doubt, liable to some objections; but it ap- 

 peared better suited to the purpose in view than 

 any other that presented. The reader will observe 

 that the sciences of Theology^ Morals, and Poli- 

 tics are not noticed in this first Part. The reason 

 of the omission is, that it appeared most proper to 

 leave what may be said concerning the revolutions 

 and improvements in these three interesting depart- 

 ments of science, respectively, to stand as prelimi- 

 naries to the three remaining divisions o'^ the work, 

 in v/hich some account will be attempted of the 

 great events in the Christian Church, in the Moral 

 World, and in Political Principles and Establish- 

 ments, daring the last century. It Vv-as supposed 

 that in this connection the rise, progress, and in* 



A 



