14 BENE F IT Of 
preme being oblige me to confefs, that no 
fooner were my travels finiilied, but, as it were* 
a Lethaean oblivion of all the dangers, and 
difficulties came upon me ; being rewarded by 
the ineftimable advantages, which i reapeql 
from thofe devious purfuits* Advantages, the 
more confpicious for that i became daily more 
and more lkillful, and gained a degree of ex-* 
perience, which I hope will be of ufe to my-* 
felf, and others ; and, what i efteem above all 
other confiderations $ as it comprehends in one 
all other duties, and charities ; to my coun^ 
trey, and the public. 
Good God ! how many, ignorant of their 
own countrey, run eagerly into forreign re- 
gions, to fearch out and admire whatever cu- 
riofities are to be found many of which are 
much inferior to thofe, which offer themfelves 
to our eyes at home, I have yet beheld no 
forreign land, that abounds more with natural 
curiofities of all kinds, than our own. None 
which prefents fo many, fo great, fo wonder* 
full works of nature ; whether we confider the 
magazines of fnow heaped up for fo many ages 
upon our Alps, and amongft thefe vaft tracks 
of fnow green meadows, and delicious vallies 
"here and there peeping forth, or the lofty 
heads 
