w D E D 1 C Ar I O N, 



into the Empire of Nature : but as in Divi- 

 nity5 a willing Mindj fo in Learning, the 

 beft Endeavour will be accepted. And tho' 

 the Book cannot recommend it felf to you, 

 your Name may recommend it to others. 



Happy are the Tinies, when Knowledge 

 is the ftudy of thofe who have fuperior Abi- 

 lities for it : Happy therefore is the prefent 

 Age, that has you, among many other Learn- 

 ed, fo eminent an Encourager of it. 



. T H o' elevated Minds direct all their con- 

 cern to what they jhould be^ and not to any 

 Applauie for what they really are'j yet, if 

 to delineate their Excellency be ofFenfive to 

 Modefty, the Sincerity with which it is done, 

 will, it is hoped, fecure their Pardon. 



Now, what is it that makes the great Cha- 

 ra£^er, but Knowledge in all its diverfity, a 

 Sollicitoufnefs for the Spread of Arts and 

 Sciences, excelling in one's particular Station 

 of Life, and being divinely forward to all 

 the high Offices of Humanity } This is the 



Pi£lure 



