X PREFACE. 



the Oiiiission is, that it appeared most proper to 

 leave what may be said concerning the revolutions 

 and improvements in these t hree interesting depart- 

 ments of science, respectively, to stand as preli- 

 minaries to the three remaining divisions of the 

 work, in which some account will be attempted of 

 the great events in the Clii'istian Church, in the 

 Moral World, and in Political Principles and Esta- 

 blishments, during the last century. It was sup- 

 posed that, in this connexion, the rise, progress, and 

 influence of new systems, and modes of thinking, 

 might be exhibited wnth greater advantage, and 

 perused with more satisfaction. 



As the author aimed at nothing more than a 

 brief retrospect of the period to which this work 

 is devoted, it was impossible for him to do more, 

 consistently with his plan, than to mention the 

 principal discoveries, inventions, improvements, 

 and WTiters, under each head ; and even these 

 could only be noticed with great brevity, and in 

 very general terms. To have attempted minute 

 details, and particular explanations, would have 

 extended the work to many volumes. With respect 

 to the choice which has been made of facts and 

 names, the degrees of importance ascribed to them, 

 and the pro{)ortion of room and attention allotted 

 to each, dintrc;nt readers will, no doubt, entertain 

 dilTer(>nl opinions. Every one will be apt to suppose 

 that the particular names and studies to which he is 

 most attach' (I, are not noticed with sufficient re- 

 spect, or dwelt upon at sufiicient length. The au- 

 thor can oidy say, that, in general, he indulged in 

 Xtiovf or Icos ])rolixity, according to his ideas of the 



