[ 3* ] 



before one could be obtained which the author judged fufficiently accurate to adopt for 

 an original. 



Various difficulties of the like nature, attended with confiderable loffes, have alfo 

 invariably retarded the completion of all the works in natural hiftory, which he is now 

 preparing for publication. 



In the work on Engliih infects particularly, very great expenfe, as well as 

 difappointment, was incurred through the obftinacy or careleffnefs of the artift 

 employed to etch the figures ; who was too vain' of his own judgment, or too frugal 

 of his labour, to follow with due accuracy the drawings prepared for him : this rendered 

 his whole performance, which he had twice attempted, altogether unferviceable, and 

 gave occafion to introduce this additional branch of bufinefs into the academy. Since 

 this occurrence, the art of etching has by fome of his pupils been affiduoufly cultivated ; 

 and the author prefumes, that The E?2g/i/Jj Entomologiji ; The Work on Spiders ; and the 

 etchings of feveral views of different iflands in the South Seas, together with a variety 

 of other performances which already have or foon will be publifhed, afford pleafing and 

 fatisfactory teftimonies of their merits in that department. 



Having fo long laboured with patience and perfeverance in this arduous enterprife, 

 and having funk in it no inconfiderable fhare of a private competence, the author has at 

 length the fingular gratification of feeing his mofl fanguine expectations realifed by the 

 event; and an animating profpect now begins to open upon him, that his academy will 

 continue to rife in the eftimation of mankind by the production of works flill more 

 important to the illuftration of the different kingdoms of nature, and by giving that 

 extenlion to the circle of the polite arts, which it is hoped will redound to the credit 

 and honour of the country where this effablimment has been firfl formed. 



In thus alluding to the lofs which his private fortune hasfuftained in his exertions for 

 the public benefit of fcience, he has not been actuated by any motive of orientation. He 

 is fully fenfible that in a nation, difKnguifhed like Great Britain by a fpirit of enlightened 

 adventure, the capital which he has hazarded is as nothing; he only ftates the fact in 

 juftice to himfelf, for the purpofe of furnifhing an unqueftionable proof to all 

 unprejudiced minds, that no confi deration whatever has operated to deter him from 

 {training every nerve to render this publication, and every other work which he has 

 attempted, as worthy of himfelf, of his country, and of the learned world, as art and his 

 utmoft abilities of every kind could effect. Nor, he trufts, will he be cenfured for 



vanity 



