xYir INTRODUCTIOEf* 



Having from my carliefl y^rs applied, 

 through tafte, to the ftudy of the mathema- 

 tics, the art of ruling is entirely unknown 

 to me. The numerous and long voyages 

 which I have made to %"arious parts of the 

 world may have perhaps given me fome 

 knowledge of mankind ; but the more one 

 knows them, the more one dreads to accept 

 the honourable office of conducing and dl- 

 reeling them. 



The zeal with which M. Poivre was ani- 

 mated for the improvement of agriculture. 

 Induced him to advance confide rable fums 

 of money to the planters, to enable them to 

 cultivate corn. The magazines were always 

 well fuppUed with provifions^ becaufe the 

 fiift article of his agreement was that pay- 

 ment fliould be made in the produce of the 

 earth. The price of bread, therefore, fel- 

 dom experienced any confidcrable varia- 

 tion. 



M. Poivre, 



