N O T I C E

TO THE

R E A D E R.

Since one might find it strange to see at the head of each of the three divisions of the first general part of this work a plate which serves as its title, and to find that in each of those divisions the illustrations have been numbered anew as Plate I. II. etc., we advise the reader that these three divisions initially formed small separate works, which were issued as trials to gauge the public's taste. The publisher Dutch: "ondernemer", having subsequently seen the eagerness with which the public received these first pieces, and having been requested to continue his work and bring it to perfection, it was only after seeing the successful outcome of his undertaking that he decided to give the work the order which it now has, and—for the convenience of enthusiasts Dutch: "liefhebbers"; typically referring to collectors, connoisseurs, or "amateurs" of fine books and art—to divide it into 20 distinct sections, in order to issue them as they came from the printers. As he was obliged in this matter to follow the High German text original: "Hoogduitschen text." In this period, "High German" simply referred to the German language as spoken in the interior, as opposed to "Low German" or Dutch that accompanies the work, this is the reason why one finds very few plates in some sections, and none at all in others.

But what we judge especially necessary to mention is that, as the publisher had only a small number of copies of the aforementioned High German text printed—most of which are already spoken for or sold—he felt he should provide for this deficiency by having a summary Dutch: "kort begrip" of the said text printed, so that those who still wish to provide themselves with this outstanding work are not deprived of the necessary explanations; and it is of this abridged text that he has the honor to offer a French translation to those to whom German is unknown, delivering this work to them in its entirety at the price of 20 Guilders, imperial money Dutch: "rijks geld".

For the rest, it is not believed necessary to expand at length on the usefulness of this work; since it contains within itself a natural representation and a historical explanation of all the various ceremonies and religious customs of all the peoples of the world, it is suited for general use by all persons, of whatever station, rank, dignity, or religion they may be. Everyone finds in it a recreation for the mind which, far from offending him in his own religion, can on the contrary contribute much to his edification. Youth above all, and in particular the Gentlemen Students, will with outstanding ease imprint upon their minds the various customs and religious exercises of all nations, denominations, and sects of the world, by means of the simple representations and concise explanations which this work offers them. The fair sex A common 18th-century term for women will find no less pleasure in satisfying their curiosity by observing so many images and unusual, singular representations. What is more, it can not only [serve] as a book for instruction, and entertaining in itself—