PREFACE. ix 



Eiicyclopedia Bfitamiica, the perusal of which will con- 

 vey more solid information, and less perplexity, than all 

 the Introductions our booksellers can boast of. 



With respect to the quotations or synonyms, it should 

 be observed that we have in most instances limited them 

 only to original works, all doubtful ones have been re- 

 jected, and such only given as have been actually con- 

 sulted ; indeed to this latter cause must be attributed the 

 occasionalomission of some, existing in books we had not 

 the immediate power of consulting ; our own library is 

 not small; but the difficulty and expense of procuring all 

 the new continental publications, and the impossibility 

 of meeting with them at our public libraries*, may have 

 sometimes led us into error, and unintentionally to have 

 passed over the discoveries of others. 



With the few additions contained in the Appendix we 

 shall now conclude ; trusting that in the remarks drawn 

 from us by the present state of the science in this country, 

 our zeal for truth will not give us an appearance of want of 

 candour or of vanity. The truth of our remarks on the la- 

 bours of others, every one at all acquainted with the sub- 

 ject can inquire into, and either acknowledge or disprove : 

 we neither deprecate nor despise criticism : an author who 

 presumes to instruct others, should have his pretensions 

 publicly canvassed, his merits admitted, or his deficien- 

 cy exposed ; no one is more sensible than we are that our 

 own pretensions chiefly consist in having set an example 

 for others more able to follow : and if we have in any 

 way advocated the cause of truth and science, our object 

 will be attained, and we shall then gladly retire in the 

 shade. 



* It is truly grievous in those which arc privileged to possess themselves 

 of the works of their countrymen, however expensive, at free cost, and 

 thus to inflict a ruinous fine on authors. Thus — National Institutions, 

 founded for the encouragement of learning, are made to oppress and im- 

 poverish its followers. 



London, 



Sept. 15, 1821. 



