VI PREFACE. 



and disposition of the present work, and declare his obli- 

 gations individually to each of the writers who have 

 honoured him with their assistance in the completion of 

 the undertaking ; but he fears that the language of ap- 

 probation which he would in justice feel himself compell- 

 ed to use, might be misconstrued into an unbecoming en- 

 deavour to enhance, beyond its merits, the value of the 

 publication. Some of the authors of the British Ency- 

 clopedia have chosen to reserve their names. The Edi- 

 tor has written and composed upwards of two hundred 

 articles on Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, and Mecha- 

 nics, and practical subjects relating to them, besides seve- 

 ral of the lives of great men. The Mathematical Arti- 

 cles, including the mixed subjects of Astronomy, Optics, 

 Phonics, Statics, and many others, were drawn up by a 

 popular author, who is well known for his writings on 

 those subjects. The article Conic Sections was written 

 by JAMES IVORY, Esq. of the Royal Military College of 

 Marlow. To the Rev. Dr. CARPENTER, of Exeter, our 

 readers are indebted for the articles Grammar, Language, 

 Mental and Moral Philosophy, Understanding, the Ori- 

 gin of Writing, and many others connected with the phi- 

 losophy of the mind. For the articles Criticism, History, 

 Poetry, and Rhetoric, our obligations are due to the Rev. 

 WM. SHEPHERD, author of the life of Poggio Bracciolini. 

 To J. J. GRELLIEK, Esq. of the Royal Exchange Insu- 

 rance Company, are to be ascribed many valuable articles 

 on Political Economy, the Doctrine of Annuities, Rever- 

 sions, Assurance, &c. 



In our Medical Department, the articles Dietetics, 

 Diseases and Treatment of Infancy, Materia Medica, 



