PKEPACE. xi 



riched by many important discoveries made in South America ; 

 one of which, that of the bombyx papyrifex, or paper-making 

 silk-Worm, is highly curious. Belonging to this department 

 of science, and to divers others, the reader will derive much 

 valuable information, from a perusal of what is given in the 

 part of topography, and in the Appendix, containing, with 

 other details of great interest, those of the travels of the mis- 

 sionaries in the heretofore unexplored territories of Peru. In his 

 researches into the literature of that country, he will find quo- 

 tations from authors prohibited in Spain. *' El Eusebio," a 

 work in the Spanish language, on the same plan as the Emile 

 of Rousseau, was, he will perceive, boldly cited by the 

 learned and patriotic Bishop of Quito, in the eloquent dis- 

 course he pronounced, at the first meeting of the Economical 

 Society established in that city. An Index of the modern au- 

 thors quoted in the Peruvian Mercury, is subjoined, to furnish 

 some idea of the extent of the literary attainments made in 

 that remote quarter of the globe. These attainments will con- 

 stantly be proportioned to the industry employed in the acqui- 

 sition of the means. Where books are sought after with so 

 much avidity, and at so great a risk, the beaps of mental illu- 

 mination cannot fail to expand their celestial light, and to dis- 

 pel the thick gloom of ignorance. 



JOSEPH SKINNER. 



Tottenham Court, January 30; 1805. 



