C 7i3 ] 
to hit upon it themfelves, I have not yet been able 
to difcover. 
To the preceding remarks many others might 
have been added, relating to the hiftory of Tadmor, 
as well as to the genius, government, cuftoms, re- 
ligion, language, &c. of the inhabitants of that 
once moft flourifhing city. But, as I intend here- 
after, when I can find a little relaxation from the 
bufinefs, in which I am at prefent engaged, if it fhall 
pleafe God to grant me health, to publifli a dif- 
fertation upon the infcriptions tranfmitted down to 
us in the Palmyrene character, and to confider every 
thing material deducible from them in a proper 
manner j 1 have here only attempted a bare tranflation 
of the major part of them, and laid down a few cur- 
fory remarks, which upon my firfl perufal of them 
occurred, in order a little to fupport and illuftrate 
that tranflation. Befides, a minute difcuffion of all 
the abovementioned particulars would have fwelled 
this paper greatly beyond the bounds of a letter; 
whereas my prefent intention is, only to fubmit a few 
memoirs relating to thefe celebrated monuments of 
antiquity to the judgment of our moft learned and 
illuftrious Society ; that by this means my defign 
may in fome meafure tranfpire, and come to the 
knowlege of at leaft the moft difcerning part of the 
public. I fhall offer no apology for the trouble now 
given you, Sir, as I was informed that a fight of thefe 
memoirs would not be unacceptable to you. In 
the mean time, you will permit me only to add, 
that I muft acknowlege myfelf obliged to the 
Reverend and very Learned Mr. Sanford, Fellow of 
Balliol College, as well as to Mr. Godwyn, for many 
4 X valuable 
