C 1042- 3 
C 0 N ( 
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A retrofoeftive View of this whole Collection, in which its particular 
Advantages are explained, and an Account given of the Ufes to 
which the Contents may be applied. 
I. A general View of the whole Work^ its End and Intention-, and a Method propofed for di [covering how 
far this has been anjwered, not only in the Grofs^ but in every Part [eparately^ throughout the Perform 
mance, as a Key to the Ufes of the Book. II. The Plan of the Hiflory of the Circumnavigators, intirely 
new^ and abfblutely comprehenfve j Advantages derived from that Hiflory thus chronologically digefled y 
and the Reafbns for rejeSfing two Works, float feem at firfl Sight to come within the Plan. III. The 
Scheme of the Hijtory of the Eaft- Indies, briefly and fully reprefe?2ted ; the Probability of a late Sug- 
geflion, that the Arabians fl.r(i opened this Commerce, floewn, and a Jhort Review of the Principal Points 
regarding the Commerce of the Ancients in the Eafl. IV. The Ufes that may be drawn from this regular 
Series, how they contribute to fix the Excellencies and Deflciences of the Ancients compared with the Mo^ 
derns 5 together with a curious Remark as to the Riches of Spain in ancient Times. V. The Care taken 
to relieve the Reader s Attention, by interfperflng the De/cription, Natural Hiflory, andmoft remarkable 
Curioflties of thofe famous Countries ; the Benefits refulting jro 7 n that Method, and the great Help it af- 
fords of bringing much ufeful Knowledge withm a Uttle Room, VI. The Manner in which the Hiflory of 
Commerce is purfued after tbe Declenfion of the Roman Empire, and the finking of that of Con- 
flantinople ; Digreflion as to the Rife, Progrefs, and Decay, of the Republicks of Venice and Genoa ; 
and Remarks on their prefent State. VII. How the modern Hiflory of the Eaft-Indies is condupled j the 
Rules by which the Choice of Materials has been made ; Diflfculties and Deficiencies common amongfl our 
latefl Writers ; what might be reajbnably expeSiedfrom them, and an Example given of the right Method 
of reporting FaBs. VIII. AfuccinB View of the Ufes arifingfrom the Matters treated of in the firfi 
Volume, to Perfons in different Ranks and Stations, and a political Difquifition as to their Importance to 
the Nation in general, more efpecially at this critical ConjunBure, when fo many Attempts are making 
in all Parts c>/ Europe for ereBing new Companies to trade to the Eaft-Indies. IX. A Review of the 
fecond Volume of this ColleBion, in which is firfl fhewn what was propofed in treating fo particularly the 
Dif cover y, Conquefls, and Settlements made by the Spaniards in America. X. A (loort Reprefentation 
of the Ufe of our Hiflory of the fubduing the Empire of Peru, the Jurpring Boldnefs and amazing Suc- 
cefs of that Attempt, with the famous Sir William Temple’j admirable Survey of the Laws and Govern- 
ment of the Ync^Js, the old Sovereigns of Btxn. XI. The Ma?mer in which the European Settle- 
7uents in America are treated, more efpecially thofe of the Englifh and French, with an Acknowledgment 
of Communications receiv'd, and Approbation fhewn of this P art of the Work, and an Apology for fome 
Freedoms taken therein. XII. The Contents of the fecond Book explained, the Rules eflablijhed in fe- 
leBing the Voyages and Travels neceffary to give a competent Idea of the Northern Parts of the Globe in 
general, atid of the particular Countries in Europe, and the Reafons of thofe Rides fet in a clear Light, 
XIII. The Scope of the third Book, and a diflinB Detail of the fever al Pieces that regard the Defcrip^ 
tion, Hiflory, and Commercial Concerns of the Afiatick Empires j the Authorities on which they are 
founded, the Motives on which they were admitted, and the Means of applying them fo as to anfwer the 
great End of this ColleBion. 
I w y £ are now arrived at the Clofe of a very late to the Work, but to the conducing of it ; and our 
m m / Work, undertaken upon a Plan Bufinefs here is not to fay only, but to prove, that if 
m/%/ regular, and of far larger Extent the Outlines were drawn as they ought to be, the Edi- 
1 V than was ever propofed, either in our fice has been finifhed according to the Draught. 
0W1I, or any other Language ; and of the Execution The great End propofed, was reducing within a tole- 
of which many have defpaired in the Progrefs of its table Compafs the Subftance of a Multitude of Books, 
Publication ; but by the BlelTing of God it is now ft- well written upon ufeful Subjects, in order to render 
nifhed, and finilhed with the very fame Spirit with them thereby more eafily purchased and read. Npw 
which^it was begun ; for 1 am perfuaded, the moft it is hoped that this has been alfo done in as great a 
critical Reader will allow there has been as much Pains Degree as the Size of this Colle6fion, and it is no fmall 
taken with the laft Sedtion, as with any in the whole one, would permit i and that due Care has been taken 
Colleftion. What now remains, is tocaft our Eye back to make fuch a Choice of our Materials, as that by the 
a little, in order to difcover what all this Enquiry, La- Perufal of this fingle Book, the Reader may acquire the 
hour, and Expedfation, has produced. pradfical Knowledge of Cofmography, obtain a perfeft 
A laro-e Work of this Kind may be very well com- Notion of the Situation of different Counpies in all 
pared to°a publick Strudture eredfed for the Service of Parts of the Globe, together with their Relation to, and 
Society, as well as at the common Expence, and of the Diftance from all other Countries, the Manner of their 
Value of which we may, with tolerable Certainty judge, Correfpondence, the Commodities furnifhed, and thole 
by confidering the Scheme or Ground-plot, that is to wanted by them. 
fay, the Plan upon which it v^as eredfed, the End pro- In reference to the more particular and immediate 
pofed by it, and the particular ikdvantage that every Bufinefs of the Englijh Reader, which we may fuppofe 
Perufer may expcdf from it. With regard to the ori- to refpedt the Intereft and Commerce of his own Coun- 
o-inal Scheme, there were never many Objedlions made try, it may with great Truth be affirmed, that fo much, 
to it, except that the Bounds were too large, the Mate- upon that Subjedt, and that too in fo many different 
rials hard to be acquired, and the Labour of putting Lights, is not to be met with elfewhere. Once within 
them together a Thing fcarce to be effedfed *, fo that the Compafs of this Colledtion lies all that has occurred 
fpeaking with Propriety, thefe could not be laid to re- within the Space of twenty Years, to one who has had 
