Introduction 



the following observations (and it is one in which I 

 wish I may be found to have been misinformed), it 

 is that which relates to the character of the Rhode 

 Islanders. I was exceedingly ill at that place, and 

 had not the same opportunity of procuring informa- 

 tion as elsewhere. I conversed with but few gentle- 

 men, and they were principally of one party; but 

 they were gentlemen of such universal good character, 

 that I could not but rely in some measure on the 

 accounts with which they favoured me. Some 

 allowance, however, I did make for prejudice; and 

 I am desirous that the reader should make a still 

 larger one; indeed, I should be happy to stand cor- 

 rected in regard to what I have said of that people, 

 as no one can have less pleasure in speaking un- 

 favourably of mankind than myself. 



I have studiously avoided all technical or scientific 

 terms; such to the informed reader are unnecessary, 

 to the uninformed one they are unintelligible and 

 perplexing: in relations of this kind they have always 

 an appearance of affectation and pedantry. 



For the most valuable part of the following collec- 

 tion, I mean the Diary* of the Weather, I am en- 

 tirely indebted to my esteemed friend, Francis Fau- 

 quier, esq., son of the late worthy lieutenant-governor 

 of Virginia, who very obligingly transmitted it to me 

 from Williamsburg, while I resided, as chaplain to 



* See Appendix, No. i. 



[23] 



