PREFACE. IX 



The v/orld, I believe^ is not at all agreed 

 that the aufberities of the Prefbyterians 

 were preferable to the licentionfnefs under 

 Charles II. I pretend to defend the one 

 no more than the other j but I am fure that 

 in the body politic, fymptoms that prognof- 

 licate ill, may indicate well. All I meaned 

 to fay v/as, that the dilpofition to improve- 

 ments in this country is the confequence of 

 its vigour. The eftablilliment of a fociety 

 for the encouragement of arts will produce 

 great benefits before they are perverted to 

 mifchiefs. The bounties beflowed by that 

 fociety, for facilitating the necelTaries of life 

 to the poor, for encouraging the ufe of our 

 own drugs and materials, or for naturaliz- 

 ing thofe of other countries, are beflowed 

 on noble principles and with patriot viewy. 

 That fociety does not negledl even the ele- 

 gancies of life : Arts tliat are innocent in 

 them'el/es, and beneficial to the country, 

 either by adding value to our produ6llons, 

 or by drawing riches as they invite ftrangers 

 to vifit us, are worthy the attention of good 

 citizens 5 and in all thofe lights that fociety 

 a(5ls upon a national and extenfive plan. 



The art, that is chietly the fubjc6l of 

 rhefe pages, is one of the leail likely to be 



p^TvcrU'd : 



