PREFACE.

I take no notice of lefl'er Tracts, sincefew of them pretend to any thing Systema-tically; and they who do, propose it withrestricted Views, either to the Theory only,or else to some principal Parts or Branchesof the Science. Thus Worst ePs Principlesof Philosophy amount to little more than a Re-hearsal of "Theses, with scarce any Demonstra-tions throughout. PLeljham'% LeElures areadmirably good as far as they go. And theLectures, lately published by the Abbi Nollet,are but a Part of his Work, and are indeedexcellent Philosophical Sermons or Declama-tions, and strictly in the French Style andTaste*.

But what others have done is not somuch the Design of this Preface to relate, aswhat I have done Myself in this Treatise,which I shall specify under the followingHeads.

First, I have endeavoured to compile aCompleat System of Philosophy , from the greatFund of Materials which the Writings andInventions of the Moderns have supplied mewith. Under this Head I have had regardonly to the Choice and Propriety of the Sub-jects ; and their Order and Disposition, or

* The Lord Roscommon observes,

The weighty Bullion of one Sterling Line,

Drawn to French IFire , would thro’ -whole Pages Jhine.

A 3 due