( iv ) 



Your Majesty has, at different times, gra- 

 ciously condescended to examine the process, 

 and been pleased to express Your approba- 

 tion of the Improvements in such favourable 

 terms, as to cause my heart to overflow with 

 unspeakable pleasure. 



Such encouragement from my Royal 

 Master has stimulated me to proceed with 

 so much alacrity and perseverance, as to 

 overcome every difficulty that opposed me, 

 and to bring the subjects treated of in this 

 Volume to such a state of perfection as 

 will, I flatter myself^ in some measure 

 render it worthy of Your Majesty's pa- 

 tronage. 



Permit me then, Sire, with the most 

 profound humility to lay this Work at 

 Your Majesty's feet ; and thus publicly to 



