xiv PREFACE. 



fed his obfervations, which was commonly 

 at night, after being fatigued with the bu- 

 finefs of the preceding day, when his fpi- 

 rits were almoft exhaufted, and he, incapa-s 

 ble of that fprighthnefs which commends 

 fo many curious performances of that nature. 



He gives you his obfervations as they oc- 

 curred day after day, which makes him a 

 faithful relater, notwithftanding it takes 

 away all elegance of fl:yle,and often occafions 

 him to make very fudden tranfitions from 

 fubjeds very foreign to one another. This 

 defedl we will endeavour to fupply by a very 

 copious index at the end of the whole work, 

 rather than derange the author's wordsy 

 which are the more to be relied on, as be- 

 ing inftantly committed to paper warm from 

 his refledHons. 



At laft he arms himfelf with a very 

 noble indifference againft the criticifm of 

 feveral people, founded on the great aim he 

 had in view by his performance, which 

 was no lefs than public utility. This he looks 

 upon as the true reward of his pains and 

 expences. 



These are the contents of his long pre- 

 face. We have nothing to add, but that 

 we intend to go on in this work as foon as 

 poffible, hoping to be fupported and en- 

 couraged in this undertaking, by a nation 



which 



