SURVEYS of NATURE, HISTORICAL, MORAL, and ENTERTAINING, exhibiting the PRINCIPLES of NATURAL SCIENCE in various Branches by FRANCIS FITZGERALD Efq? PREFACE TO THE SECOND VOLÙM E. NATURAL Hiftry is a fubject very extensive in itself, and which ha been treated by many writers in a manner fo voluminças, that its information is now rather a study than an accomplishment, and much beyond the retention of the memory. In fact, on fome articles it offers much that scarce dferves retention, while its accounts of others are very limited. This divifion of our work is an attempt to present a general view of the fubject, as little encumbered by foreign matter, or by ide tales, as poffible: offering the chief fpecimens of each kind, and enabling the reader to acquire a knowledge of most particulars which are interesting. It was neceffary in this intent to avoid the fhackles of fsystem, yet, firmly adhering to order, to group what seemed allied, and to state those apparent relations which indicate fimila rity, to avoid repetition and redundance, to affift the memory by conciseness, perfpicuity, and relevancy. Want of fubject has been no difficulty, but to determine on a judicious felection, and to regulate their introduction, VOL. II. a h: has often been embarraffing, and ccupied much reflection! We presume to think that no worlof only equal bulk contains more information of general an familiar use, nor a completer or more compendious manuaof natural knowledge : whether its merit be equal to the lour it has coft, or its utility be equal to the wishes of itsauthor, must now be fubmitted to the determination of aandid and indulgent public; from whom, in the courfe dpublication, we have received the most liberal teftimony, ad to whom we return our grateful acknowledgments, for nmerous inftances of approbation, and numerous marks of kindnefs and confi. dence. 1 |