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Printed for W. CREECH, Edinburgh; and for
W. STRAHAN, and T. CADELL, London,

MDCCLXXIV.

PUBLICLIBRARY

155775

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS, 1899

MEM AOBK

T1

PREFACE.

HE following work is the fubftance of various fpeculations, that occafionally amused the author, and enlivened his leisure-hours. It is not intended for the learned; they are above it: nor for the vulgar; they are below it. It is intended for men, who, equally removed from the corruption of opulence, and from the depreffion of bodily labour, are bent on useful knowledge; who, even in the delirium of youth, feel the dawn of patriotism, and who in riper years enjoy its meridian warmth. To fuch men this work is dedicated, and that they may profit by it, is the author's ardent with, and probably will be while any spirit remains in him to form a wish.

May not he hope, that this work, child of his gray hairs, will furvive, and bear testimony for him to good men, that even a laborious calling, which left him not many leifure-hours, never banished from his mind, that he would little deferve to be of the human species, were he indifferent about his fellow

creatures:

Homo fum: humani nihil a me alienum puto.

VOL. I.

b

Moft

Most of the fubjects handled in the following sheets, admit but of probable reasoning; which is not a little flippery, as with respect to many reasonings of that kind, it is difficult to pronounce, what degree of conviction they ought to produce. It is easy to form plaufible arguments; but to form fuch as will ftand the test of time, is not always eafy. I could amufe the reader with numerous examples of conjectural arguments, which, fair at a diftant view, vanish like a cloud on a near approach. In the first sketch of this book, not to go farther, he will find recorded more than one example. The dread of being misled by such arguments, filled the author with anxiety; and after his utmost attention, he can but faintly hope, that he has, not often wandered far from truth.

Above thirty years ago, he began to collect materials for a natural history of man; and in the vigour of youth, did not think the undertaking too bold, even for a single hand. He has difcovered of late, that his utmost abilities are fcarce fufficient for executing a few imperfect sketches.

Edinburgh, Feb. 23. 1774-.

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