This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1793 edition. Excerpt: ... PREFACE. THE progress of the arts and sciences is greatly accelerated by the history of antiquity and of nature. An extensive acquaintance with the customs and manners of ancient times is of the fame advantage to useful improvements, as the instructions dictated by a judicious experience are to the art of conducting our lives with wisdom and prudence. A retrospective view, in both cases, furnishes the means of preventing many hurtful mistakes that would otherwise be committed. The history of nature, equally with that of antiquity, lends her afiistance to the useful arts. The better we are acquainted with the objects of natural history, the more able we shall be to apply these objects, with success, to the various pursuits of life. Besides, by accurate researches into what is past, and by candid inquiries into the nature and properties of present objects, a wide field of useful contemplation is ppened to. the mind. Sensible of these advantages, not a few of mankind are keenly engaged in the pleasing study of nature. A sufficient knowledge of that extensive science cannot easily be obtained, without the assistance of a considerable collection of the various objects of which it treats. To procure these, every a 2 part part of the world is diligently searched by the inquisitive eye of the antiquarian and natural historian. Our own country has not been wanting in furnissiing a considerable number of excellent materials for these collections. More might still be done, were the natural history of Scotland better known. We have in our possession many remains of antiquity, and not a few of the more uncommon productions of nature, which have drawn the attention of learned philosophers in the neighboring nations. Nor have they been overlooked by...