PREFACE. ixi 



bulk of our species, the survey may indeed be attended with in- 

 struction, but can afford little satisfaction to the virtuous mind. 

 Let us then rejoice that an asylum is provided us, where we may 

 call off our faculties from every thing that may disturb our peace, 

 and fix them on those speculations which are at once an orna- 

 ment to prosperity, and the support of adversity.^ 



To the bowers of the Muses, in fine, we are invited to repair, 

 by every consideration which can have weight with the reflective 

 mind. There springs the fountain of whose pure waters we may 

 all partake ; the verdure and flowers that adorn its banks are pe- 

 rennial ; and there those roses planted by the hands of Wilson, 

 shall attract the attention of the lover of nature — shall delight 

 him with their modest beauty, and shall sooth him with their 

 rich perfumes. 



* Vide Cicero's letters, by Melmoth, ii, 252. iii, 18, 21. London, 1753, 



GEORGE ORD. 



FMladeljMa, May 1, 181*. 



