confolidate the foundation and raife the fuperftruaure of my laborious work, The Ency¬ 
clopedia Londinensis. In the profecution of this work, it has been my ftudious 
care fo to connect and arrange the various branches of claffical and mathematical know¬ 
ledge, as that propriety and perfpicuity Ihould be obferved; information and tafte be in- 
creafed; reafon and judgment be ftrengthened. IIow far my endeavours have been fuc- 
cefsful, muft be pronounced by the fentence of others. That my labours however have 
not been altogether vain, nor the arrangements and improvements totally devoid of merit* 
I am induced to hope from the encouragement which has been given to this work by a very 
confiderable part of the nobility as well as by the public in general. With the deepeft 
fentiments of gratitude and refpect for their patronage and favourable opinion, 
I have the honour to fubfcribe myfelf 
Their nioft obliged, obedient, &nd humble, fervant, 
MiUand Hovjc , March 13, IS 10, 
J. WILKES3 
