XIX 



with interest the first edition of this essay, stopped 

 short at once, as soon as the diminished type of 

 the notes met their eye. In a word, characteristic 

 dullness and interminable prosing are supposed to 

 be inseparable from this species of composition. 

 These things I sensibly regret, because I believe 

 that the notes and illustrations form the hcst part 

 of the book, and will be found most useful to the 

 general reader. In fact, there was no other way, 

 unless by short separate disquisitions, that infor- 

 mation, on the various useful topics just now men- 

 tioned, could be conveyed. 



Having said enough on the improvement of the 

 matter in this edition, I should wish to make a 

 few remarks on the probable progress of the art 

 under discussion. It is with great pleasure that I 

 observe the very general, and I may say universal, 

 assent which has been given, and especially in 

 England, where I least expected it, to the principles 

 laid down in the present treatise. From this two 

 things appear to be demonstrated ; first, the truth 

 and simplicity of those principles themselves ; and 

 secondly, the triumph which science, plainly de- 

 duced from the laws of nature, is sure to obtain, 

 over prejudice or ignorance, however rooted or 

 universal. Of the numerous persons of distinction, 



