vlii PREFACE. 



fociety by diftributing happinefs amongit 

 our fellow creatures, is one of the higheft 

 and moft neceffary. The numerous pro- 

 ducts of nature, their application to the 

 wants, the comforts and even ornaments 

 of life ; the manners, cuftoms and opi- 

 nions of mankind ; agriculture, manufac- 

 tures, and commerce ; the ftate of arts, 

 learning, and the laws of different nations, 

 when judicioufly inveftigated, tend to en- 

 large the human underftanding, and to 

 render individuals wifer, better and hap- 

 pier. 



The introduction of the common pota- 

 toe, the management of filk-worms, the 

 difcovery of jefuits bark, the ufes of com 

 chineal, Lacca and Indigo, are undeniable 

 proofs of the advantages which might be 

 derived from the inquiries of ingenious 

 men. The difcovery of another fuch root 

 as the potatoe, another fuch article of 

 commerce and apparel as filk, another 

 fuch remedy as the bark, and fuch other 

 dyeing articles as cochineal and indigo, 

 would prove acquifitions of the greatefl: 

 importance to a trading nation, and ren- 

 der the iniquifitive traveller confpicuous 

 as a public Welling. 



Many gentlemen and fea-faring perfons 

 who go abroad, by their office and filia- 

 tion in life, enjoy both time and oppor- 

 tunity for collecting the belt information 

 2 on 



