sx 



(iii) 



The Author's PREFACE. 



TH E chief defign of this preface is, to lay before the reader 

 my motives for attempting a Natural Hiftory of Norway, 

 . together with the opportunities and encouragements which have 

 concurred towards the accomplifhment of my defign ; as fuch 

 information may, in fome reipe&s, be neceffary in the perufal of 

 the work. 



My principal motive was, to promote the glory of the Creator, 

 by a contemplation of his works. In the inflru&ive book of 

 nature are many leaves, which, hitherto, no mortal has thoroughly 

 perufed ; though the prefent times are bleft with the happy ad- 

 vantage of all the important difcoveries made in natural philofo- 

 phy, fince the commencement of this century, which are fupe- 

 rior in number and merit to thofe of many preceding ages. Thefe 

 have been chiefly promoted by the learned Societies now flouriuV 

 ing in almoft every country in Europe, who have liberally en- 

 couraged, directed, and excited enquiries into nature, and by the 

 deriodical publications of obfervations, objections, and experi- 

 ments, have communicated to the world fuch important truths 

 as refulted from them. 



It is not my prefent purpofe to enquire, how thefe difcoveries 

 have been applied to various ends by perfons of different 

 opinions; I mall only obferve, that devout men have taken 

 occafion from them to exprefs, in the fulnefs of their hearts, 

 their faith and love to the great Creator, by applying their 

 natural knowledge, to the fupport and illuftration of this 

 greateft of all truths, « There muft be a God; and he mult be 

 almighty, omnifcient, and infinite in goodnefs ; and though he 



dwells 



