VI 
PREFACE. 
Writings the Work is taken : But I fup- 
pofe it needlefs to mention any thing 
more than his Name ; fince his Merits 
have been published in an Elogium by 
the ingenious M. de Eontenelle *, and 
his Character, as an Author, is well 
known. I ihall therefore only add, that 
I have endeavoured to make an ufeful 
Branch of his Knowledge of more ge- 
neral Benefit; and if my Endeavours 
anfwer this End, by conducing to the 
Improvement of the Englijh Reader, it 
will be a Satisfa&ion to me that I have 
fo employ’d them. 
• ffijfoirs de l' Academic Roy ale des Sciences, Amu 1731 . 
An 
