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PREFACE.

has long been the opinion of the Author of the following Discourses, that to treat scientific fubjects in an eafy and familiar manner, is to render very effential fervice to those persons in general who are defirous of acquiring information without deeply ftudying fuch fubjects; and especially to the younger part of the community, to whom entertainment is ever welcome. Upon this principle the Author conducted the LECTURES in the ARTIST's' REPOSITORY and DRAWING MAGAZINE, and the fatisfaction of the Public with that performance has amply justified the idea; in fact, it is to the favourable reception that work the present owes its appearance: It is prefumed, it will not be found less worthy of favour, or less agreeable in its nature. It would give its Author great pain to think that public encouragement had rendered him careless, or that his fucceeding labours were no improvement on his former; on the contrary, as the principles now adopted are the fame as before, and the fubjects more general and interefting, he flatters himself, the execution will be found proportionally superior and valuable.

It is his defire that deep or abstruse disquisitions may not be expected, nor any mathematical calculations, or folutions;

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tions; nothing but what is free, general, and of eafy con ception to the reader; though to render it so, has often been more difficult to the Author than if he had written it in a technical manner.

He begs leave to conclude, by repeating his former fentiments, (only changing the name of the performance) from the ARTIST'S REPOSITORY.

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Upon the whole, it is hoped the Public will receive from the SURVEYS of NATURE both inftruction and entertainment, united in a compendious fyftem: if, in its progrefs, profeffed Artifts fhould fometimes think it paffes too flightly over objects usually fuppofed of confequence, they are requested to recollect the perfons to whom it is chiefly addreffed; if, on the other hand, it should some-. times be thought too learned, the public will excufe this error (if fuch it be) in a performance, whofe Editor is defirous of imparting knowledge and information, which will certainly prove of advantage to his readers, and perhaps ultimately to philofophy itself."

The course intended by the Author, and which feems most regular for fuch a work, is, to confider (i.) the celeftial phenomena, Sun, Moon, &c. whofe influences have great effect on (ii.) terrestrial phenomena, Light, Air, Clouds, Rainbow, &c. then to survey (iii) the Earth, then (iv.) its inhabitants, Man, Animals, Reptiles, Infects, &c. down to (v.) the minutest discoveries of the microscope.

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE.

TH HE moft noble and valuable prerogative of mankind above surrounding creatures, is, that reasoning faculty whereby we investigate the properties, the actions, and the relations of natural objects; whereby we furvey the works of wisdom, and diftinguish their importance and defign. To what purpose has the Great Author of Nature diverfified the operations of his hand; fometimes proportioning them on a scale of immenfe magnitude, sometimes animating the most diminutive atoms; to some beings imparting astonishing faculties, bestowing on others bare existence? To what purpose is this variety?-That it might excite our attention, gratitude, veneration, and love.

To furvey the wonders of Nature without admiration, without thankfulness, without piety, implies frigidity of fpirit, or ignorance of mind, little lefs than brutal: Such a man (if fuch a man there be) is unworthy the name he bears, and rather fhould be degraded beneath humanity; for humanity is diftinguished by faculties more excellent than any we difcern in the creation around us.

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Nothing is more conducive to our happiness and welfare than a juft fenfe of our native dignity; but this is not to be obtained without reflection, without adverting to the qualities of our fellow creatures, who seem in so many respects beneath us, or without attention to the more mag-. nificent operations of Nature, where our ideas are tøft in wonder. When we regard only our inferiors, we seem almost divinities; when we inveftigate the ftupendous displays of power discovered by observation, we seem less than nothing, and vanity! 7 bra sida fom 311

The progrefs of thofe LECTURES, to which this is intro ductory, will occafionally requeft your attention; LADIES? and GENTLEMEN, to both thefe extremes. The prodis giously extensive magnitude of fome fubjects, their furprif: ing properties, their astonishing effects, furpass the powerss of language-let me, on fuch inftances, befpeak your candid indulgence; where genius, and learning, and philofophy themselves fail, let a humble follower of them expect fuccefs with diffidence. Nor is it lefs difficult to do juftice. to other articles whofe extreme minutenefs conceals many of their peculiar wonders; but, if an earnest defire for your: information and entertainment, may be thought, in any degree to counterbalance thefe impediments, I flatter myfelf we shall have no just reason to regret the time spent in? thefe difcourfes.

Is it neceffary I fhould enlarge on the benefits of acquaintance with natural knowledge, or point out the?

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advantages derived from infpection of natural objects?, Shall I tell you, this diftinguishes polite life from favage barbarity that, to be ignorant, is perpetual childhood; that the faculties of the mind are not, only matured, but enlarged by reflection; that to remain below thofe attain-1 ments, to which we are competent, is injuftice to our? talents, and to our enjoyments? or shall expatiate on the entertainment, the delight of knowledge, and the pleasures! arifing from elegant fudy? You will readily own, that there is in the human mind a conflant, thirst after novelty, an ardent defire of further acquifitions; never fatisfied with its actual poffeffions, never contented with its prefent ftores, it rushes after propofed benefits, and explores with unwearied affiduity every quarter in which it fufpects: new or unnoticed information.

Mom a la sickol v In fact, this difpofition of the mind is notorious; nor is it unaccompanied by hazard and risk: not a few have tỏ regret that their rapacity for knowledge was not moderated, I in many respects, and, on many occafions, not a few may i jusly envy a happy ignorance, of much, whose acquainte ance has coft them dear: thefe, while they are instances of a general defire of knowledge, are also proofs of the? neceffity that it fhould be directed by fagacity and virtued that it is not the quantity, but the quality of information. which renders it valuable, Knowledge is a remedy for.. difeafes of the mind; but who takes remedies indifcrimi. [ nately? Knowledge is like decoration,-in its juft place, in its proper time, in its happy application, elegant but dife gufting,

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