A DVERTISEMENT. Vll 
of Carbon," he has also been enabled to add 
many new facts ; and the illustrations which he 
has now subjoined will, he hopes, remove some 
objections to his doctrine, and more completely 
develope and recommend his views. 
In contending with so many opposing facts, and 
such variety of conflicting opinions, the Author 
can scarcely presume to hope that he has al- 
ways escaped error ; but, he trusts, he may clairA 
the praise of having diligently sought the truth. 
While too, on all occasions, he has exercised the 
most perfect freedom of discussion, he hopes that 
he has uniformly expressed himself in the language 
of one who would wish always to combine a just 
respect for the opinions of others, with the attach- 
ment he may feel to his own. Throughout his 
Work, it has been his anxious wish " to render unto 
Caesar the things that are Caesar's;" and if, through 
ignorance or inadvertence, any fact or opinion 
should not be assigned to its rightful owner, he 
entreats the reader to correct his mistake, but not 
hastily to pronounce it wilful ; for he can. truly 
declare, that, though not insensible to the desire 
of an honest reputation, he would not knowingly 
invade the mental rights and property of another 
for all the fame which all the discoveries in all 
the sciences could ever give. 
EDINBURGH, 
MARCH 20. 1811. 
