( v ) 

 THE 



PREFACE. 



TiRITAIN is indebted for the origin of fcience to antient 

 Rome, as Rome was to Greece. Their foaring Eagle car- 

 ried not only viaory,"but the elegant and ufeful arts, wherever 

 fKe had her airy. It was the cuftom of thofe fovereigns of 

 the world to polim and inftruc"t, as well as fubdue, nations. 

 In Britain^ no part had their company more or longer, than 

 Northumberland. Here they had their cities, their caftles, 

 and their towns. Here they had their Collegia, their cpmpa- 



* " 



nies, or trades. To the naked and warlike natives ttiey were 

 patrons and protectors, taught them both to cloathe 

 bodies, and adorn their minds ; learned them hyfbandry, 

 civil polity, architecture, and the polite and ufeful arts, 

 accomplifhed and improved the Romans left them. 



In the Saxon and Norman ages, piety and learning met with 

 zealous patrons, and bountiful rewards. Churches were built, 

 colleges founded, and both plentifully endowed. Princes and' 

 nobles, prelates, ladies, and gentlemen, contended, in a holy 

 emulation, which mould contribute moft amply and liberally 



1 C 



to their fupport. 



Pro- 



