PREFACE TO THIS EDITION. 
The present edition of the Natural Theology of Dr. Paley was under¬ 
taken witn the view of making this admirable work more extensively 
useful than it could ever be under the form in which it has been usually 
circulated. A great proportion of those who have read it must have sensi 
bly felt the disadvantage under which they labor in comprehending the 
descriptions; and of course the arguments of the author, from the want 
of a knowledge of the subjects to which they relate. No man could so 
well supply the want of this knowledge, by clearness of statement and 
description, as Dr. Paley; and it is probable that few other writers would 
have made a book so intelligible, which relates to subjects remote from 
common observation, without the aid of plates and illustrations. Still it 
must be imperfectly comprehended in many important parts, except by 
those acquainted with the sciences from which his illustrations are drawn. 
Enough it is true may be understood by all, to carry them along with the 
argument, and produce a general conviction of its truth. But the concep¬ 
tions even of professional readers would be much more clear, definite, and 
satisfactory, were the description aided by visible representations. 
It was the original design of the publishers to have merely attached the 
plates and references of Paxton, which have been published in England 
and in this country in a separate volume, to the text of Dr. Paley. It 
was, however, suggested to them that the value of their edition might be 
increased by the addition of Notes, and they had made arrangements for 
this purpose and were going on with the work, when Mr. Paxton’s edition 
of the Natural Theology fell into their hands, containing, beside the 
plates, a considerable number of Notes. From these Notes a selection has 
been made of such as seemed most valuable and interesting. A number 
of Notes have also been made up of quotations from the excellent treatise 
of Mr. Charles Bell on Animal Mechanics, published in the Library of 
Useful Knowledge ; a tract which cannot be too highly recommended 
to the perusal of those who take pleasure in studying the indications of a 
wise and benevolent Providence in the works of creation. 
A few additional Notes have also been subjoined, which havo not been 
before published. 
