VI PREFACE. 



There is however one other circumftance that de- 

 ferves particular notice, which is, that, with refpe6t to 

 the charaders and abilities of thefe gentlemen, all does 

 not reft either upon their writings or foreign authorities : 

 they have been in this country ; were feen and known 

 by thofe who were beft able to judge of their merit ; 

 and, in confequence of that, are both of them members 

 of our royal fociety. They continued here fome time, 

 converfed indifferently with all forts of people, and 

 were unanimoufly allowed to have very extenfive views 

 in refpe6t to fcience great fagacity ; much applica- 

 tion; were very affiduous and very accurate in their 

 enquiries, as well as candid and communicative in re- 

 lation to the difcoveries and obfervations which they- 

 had made in their travels. Men of fuch talents, and 

 fuch difpofitions, muft render themfelves agreeable 

 every where, much more in a country of liberty, and 

 where, without partiality, we may have leave to fay» 

 the fciences are as deeply rooted, and flourifli in as high 

 a degree, as in any other in Europe. We will add, 

 that, from a knowledge of their merit and candour, 

 they not only received the greateft civilities, but the 

 moft feafonable prote(flion, to which, in fome mea- 

 fure, the world is indebted for this very performance, 

 as the reader will learn in the perufal of it ; accompa- 

 nied with thofe marks of gratitude and refpedb, which 

 were due to their kind benefadlors, more efpecially the 

 late worthy prefident of the royal fociety, whofe me- 

 mory is juftly dear to all who had the honour of be- 

 ing in the leaft acquainted with him *; and that humane 

 and polite patron of every ufeful branch of literature, 

 earl Stanhope whofe noble qualities refiedl honour oa 

 his titles, and who inherits the virtues of his illuftrious 



* Martin Folkes, Efq; a gentleman not more confpicuous frort^ 

 his extenfive knowledge, than amiable for the politenefs of his man- 

 ,»frf5, .-^pd refpectabl« for his exeelient private sharacter* 



father^ 



