IV 
PREFACE. 
in the dark ages, have been sedulously shunned : 
where tlie subjects treated have incidentally led to 
them, they have, on the other hand, been as carefully 
exposed. But whatever has been confirmed by the 
concurrent testimony of enllglitcned writers, lias 
been faithfully digested fix .heir works. Whether 
on the subjects in which nature, in the dUferent 
departments of her empire, and in the bestowal of her 
sublime gifts and attributes, displays lieradf in her 
most magnificent attire ; or on tiiose in which art lias 
overstepped the ordinary bounds assigned to the 
faculties of man ; the liest authorities have been 
throughout consulted. The editor, therefore, flatters 
himself that, In compiling and assembling so many 
objects of wonder and delight, he has conferred a 
real benefit on the rising generation, and that ids 
labours will not he disdained by tliose even, wliosc 
researclies into the suheime wonhers of nature 
AND OF ART have engrossed the chief of their atten- 
tion. 
