Profefor Wiri1ams, oy Earthquakes. 261 
amine with what fidelity and care the accounts are drawn up, or 
how far they might be depended upon, I have conftantly refer- 
red to the authors from which they are taken. Some of the 
accounts; I am fenfible, are greatly imperfect : as all our con- 
je&ures, theories, and reafonings, mufL depend on the accounts, 
it is much.to be wifhed, that fomething more accurate and per- 
fect, as to feveral of them, might be tranfmitted down to pof- 
terity. vita i PPM. an? e i B 
What is propofed as to their cau/es, will be judged of, by the. 
degree of probability and evidence with which it is attended. 
In all philofophical hypothefes, a writer is in danger of making. 
more of his fübje& than will bear a ftriét examination. I have 
found fome difficulty in guarding againft this : and whether, at 
lat, ! have not carried conjecfures, in fome things, too far, the 
reader muft judge for himfelf. After all, the revolutions of time 
will afford the füreft proof of the truth or errors contained in 
the following pages: I would, therefore, make it my requeft 
to pofterity, to note, with care and accuracy, the phenomena 
that may attend any future earthquakes in News England ; „that, 
if what is here advanced as to their caufes, fhall be found to be 
true, it'may be confirmed ; but, if found to be falie, it may 
meet with the fate of other crrors, and be rejected. The can 
of truth and fcience, is of infinitely more importance, than 
any of our {chemes or conjectures : and this is what I with 
may prevail, in all countries, and in all ages. - 
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poy! ERN 
