PREFACE. 



vn 



materials I have interfperfed with fuch obfervations, 

 reflections, and reafonings, as occurred to me from 

 confidering the multifarious fubjecls of which I have 

 ventured to treat. I knew that a deliberate perufal 

 of the numerous writers from Ariftotle downwards, 

 would require a confiderable portion of time. But the 

 avocations of buhnefs, and the tranflating of a work 

 fo voluminous as the Natural H'ljlory of the Count be 

 BuFFON, rendered my progrefs much flower than I 

 wiflied. I now, however, with much diffidence, fub- 

 mit my labours to pubHc opinion. An examination 

 of the Contents^ however, will convey a more clear idea 

 of the nature of the v/ork than a multiplicity of words. 

 But I thought it proper to prefix a {hort account of the 

 circumftances and motives which induced me to en- 

 gage in an undertaking fo extenfive, and fo difficult to 

 perform with tolerable fuccefs. 



With regard to the manner of writing, it is per- 

 haps impoffible for a North Briton, in a v/ork of any 

 extent, to avoid what are called Scotticlfms, But I 

 have endeavoured to be every where perfpicuous, and 

 to £hun every fentiment or expreffion which might 

 have a tendency to injure fociety, or to hurt the feel- 

 ings of individuals. 



Indulgent 



