P R E F A C E.

An ornamental woodcut initial 'O' features a central basket or bowl filled with fruit or flowers, surrounded by decorative foliage and circular borders.There is reason to hope that this work will not displease the Public. Since it is so full of subject matter, I do not know if, in this century, a book has been published that contains as much in so little space. For although the volume is quite large, it will be found small for the abundance of its material. We have even intentionally spared words, in order to leave more room for the content, and our sole aim has been to make ourselves intelligible. History requires neither pomposity nor studied speeches. It only wants clarity and simplicity, and this is what we have attempted to spread throughout.

We have not, therefore, greatly studied the arrangement of words. But if we have not been scrupulous in the choice of words, we have been very much so in the choice of observations. For we have carefully avoided those that are apt to disgust those who do not like common and trivial things. In subjects that have been handled so often, it is not easy to say new things. We believe, however, to have done so in many places; for without having any design of affecting novelty, we have introduced new conjectures everywhere. The general title and the index of the treatises and chapters are enough to give a general idea of the author's and the book's design. This is why it is not necessary for us to dwell on them much here.

The work is divided into four parts; the first speaks of the dogmas and cults of the Church of the first world, from Adam to Moses. It appeared so curious to the first who saw it in manuscript that some made copies of it with their own hand. The author has not been frightened by the terms Novelty and Singularity. We have sought the true and the probable, without letting ourselves be captivated by the authority of those who are called great men, and who were indeed so. But when it is a matter of making conjectures, the most learned are not always the most fortunate; wit can do more there than science. If some of these conjectures seem too bold, it will only be at the first reading; but a second and a third reading will