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I Nail matters of indifference, I efleem it a due and laudable act of complacence in the individual, to follow eftablished cuſtom-I"¿ erefore write a Preface: and, as I have generally obferved, that long-winded prefaces are flighted, I am refolved mine fhall not be of that defeription.

But I have a motive of greater weight. It behoves me, not only out of that high refpect which I owe the Public-but alfo, in juſlice to myflf, to apologize for the weak and defective, wond, too probably, prolix and tedious execution of the enfuing work; which, in truth, is the offspring of a mind not the moſt brilliant by nature, enfeebled, and rendered confufed and i. ritable from chronic bodily weakneſs, and of a memory, at intervals, farce fufficiently retentive for the ordinar purpoſes of life. If it be den inded, why write, then?-My anfwer is,