PREFACE. 
THE mode In which instruction has hitherto been 
conveyed, on the peculiar subjects of the present 
work, has chiefly been by small books, in question 
and answer, denominated catechisms. But such, 
however respectable in themselves, or however 
advantageous for children, are wholly insufficient 
for persons who are in search of extended know- 
ledge, and desirous of furnishing their minds with 
useful information. 
On these subjects there has not hitherto been 
published any work in which they are collectively 
to be found ; nor could a knowledge of them be 
obtained but by the consultation of many and 
expensive writings. That they are generally im- 
portant to be known will not probably be denied. 
It has consequently been the object of the author 
to compress all the interesting information that 
could be obtained respecting them, within as nar- 
row a compass, and at the same time to render 
this information as entertaining, and as devoid of 
technical words and phrases, as possible. 
The scheme of the work will, it is hoped, be 
found sufficiently simple. The passage in smaller 
characters at the head of each article, is in general 
A2 
