PRE FAC E. H ISTORY, in the opinion of all ranks and defcriptions of men, has ever been held in eftimation for the rational pleasure it affords: but its principal object is of a nature infinitely superior to entertainment; for the records of paft times could but little excite the attention either of the Philofopher or Politician, did they not furnish the most certain means, both of developing the human character, and exploring the events of futurity. These are the Thefe are the great prerogatives which give dignity and importance to hiftorical narrative; and without which, the latter could have only a subordinate rank in the scale of literary avocations. Always aware of this important truth, we have, in the progrefs of this work, been ftudious to exhibit the moft fingular and remarkable characters, which flourished both in the ancient and the modern world: many of these will be found under our head of FRAGMENTS; and for some of them we are indebted to the industry of our ingenious Correfpondents. In the article entitled MANNERS and CUSTOMS, much valuable information is comprized: the Philofopher will behold a rich fund for contemplation; and the lefs enlightened obferver of Nature in its pure ftate, will, on reading, be convinced that the fummit of human refinement is not the completion of terreftrial happiness. As a proper accompaniment to the preceding, we have, from time to time, made Select Extracts in NATURAL HISTORY, carefully chufing the moft refpectable Authors, and never omitting whatever appeared under this head in the Philofophical Tranfactions, published by the Royal Society. Our Review of Hiftorical Books may be now confidered as a Valuable Epitome of all Modern Voyages and Travels, and of the principal incidents in the Lives of diftinguished Perfons, as given to the public by the most efteemed Biographers of the prefent day: and, as a proof of our defire to gratify and entertain all our readers, we have . admitted the Hiftory of Characters as diffimilar as thofe of Dr. JOHNVOL. IV. A SON |