ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITORS. HE much lamented Author of these TH Effays left them in the hands of his friends to be difpofed of as they thought proper, having immediately before his death destroyed many other manufcripts which he thought unfit for being made public. When thefe were infpected, the greater number of them appeared to be parts of a plan he once had formed, for giving a connected hiftory of the liberal fciences and elegant arts. It is long fince he found it neceffary to abandon that plan as far too extenfive; and thefe parts of it lay befide him neglected until his death. His friends are perfuaded however, that the reader will find in them that happy connection, that full and accurate expreffion, and that clear illuftration which are confpicuous in the reft E 2 |