DEDICATION. 
of, and encouragement given to Natural Hiftory, that 
has emboldened me to lay this little Eflay at Your 
feet, being well afl'ured of Your Lordlhip’s goodnefs in 
protedfing •all who fincerely endeavour, with ftri£f truth, 
to bring new and undifcovered fubjedts in Nature to 
light. 
We have good reafon to hope, that His Majefty’s late 
glorious and many Conquefts over His and the Nation’s 
enemies, will lay the' foundation of a lafting peace, and 
add repofe to the latter part of His Majefty’s reign, 
and fecurity to future times, wherein Learning, Arts, and 
Commerce may flourifh to their higheft degree. 
I flatter myfelf with hopes that (when I am no more) 
the rifing generation will find a powerful patron to all 
kinds of ufeful, polite and curious ftudies, as well as to 
the fine Arts, fince His Royal Highnefs the Prince has 
given fuch fignal proofs of fine tafte and genius for the 
Sciences : And I am confident your Lordfhip will take 
every 
