TO 
u 
5 . | 
g5 (pkh 
il to 
fc/ - 
Scores 
THE SUBSCRIBERS AND PATRONS 
OF THE 
ENCYCLOPAEDIA LONDXNENSIS, 
It cannot but be a reflexion molt highly gratifying to every ftudious mind, that amidft 
the deflations of war, and the unparalleled proceedings of hoftile powers, which have 
long deftroyed the Peace of Europe, the Light of Science and Literature has ftill flione, 
and the cultivation of liberal Arts has ftill continued to diftufe its inflnenre with fuccefs and 
advantage over every part of the United Kingdom. It is alfo a circumftance, in which the 
humane and ingenious find peculiar fatisfaCtion, that thofe learned and eminent perfons, 
who are Members of Literary Societies in the various belligerent Countries, have made 
political animofity give place to feelings of a more generous nature; and, equally as if 
they enjoyed profound peace, have reciprocally communicated the refultof their refearches, 
experiments, and difcoveries, for the general benefit of man kind. 
The nations moft diftinguiflied in modern times for their literary focicties, are Great 
Britain and Ireland, France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and Germany. Yet to 
thefe alone w 7 e are not indebted. Our brethren in America, for fuch we fliall ever confider 
them, and our countrymen and fellow-fubjeCts in the Empire of Hindooftan, have refpec- 
tively contributed to the general Stock of recent Information. Stimulated by the laudable 
example of others who have been active in the caufe of intellectual Improvement, and im¬ 
pelled as they were by an anxious defire of diffeminating polite Literature and fcicntific ac¬ 
quirements among the rifing generation, I have endeavoured to feleCt from all quarters, how¬ 
ever remote, the moft interefting communications and difcoveries; and, having combined 
and incorporated them with the valuable ftore of Learning, which has long adorned and 
enriched Great Britain and Ireland, I thus have provided materials which may tend to 
eonfolidate 
No. 689= 
