[ viii ] 
to fuppofe, on certain articles, that differ- 
ence of time, or their being feen under 
different points of view, may have pro- 
duced differences alfo in their relations 
and refults ; they then become only errors 
or illufions, of the fame nature as an op- 
tical deception, 
Refpeftingobje6ls, however, which, hav- 
ing been too flightly obferved, disfigure 
the truth effentially, my opinion (though I 
wifh it not to be univerfally adopted) will 
never give way when I am certain of fafts, 
and advance nothing but what is fupported 
by proofs. 
It is not above a century ago that a taflc 
for travelling has prevailed in Europe. 
The French above all, more than any other 
people happy in their country, and at- 
tached to their native foil, quitted it with 
reluSance, and confidered the abfence of 
a month as a kind of banifhment ; they 
were contented with waiting for, and ea- 
gerly fwallowing, the ridiculous flories pub- 
lifhed by daring impoflors rcfpefling re- 
mote nations, and they amufed themfelves 
with accounts of their wonderful difcoveries 
and incredible adventures. The exagger- 
4 ating 
