11 ADVERTISEMENT.
with which his fubjefts are delineated, both as to their fize and diftinftive
marks. The editor can fpeak with more confidence in this refpeft, as
he was fortunate enough to purchafe at the fale of the late Duchefs
Dowager of Portland's Mufeum, the original drawings, from which
ALBIN'S plates were engraved; and he has compared the plates with the
drawings, and both again with the greater part of the natural objefts
which they were intended to reprefent.
I G I N A L PREFACE,
B Y
Mr. C HA RLES CLE RC K.
AN attempt has been made, to put the information contained in our
countryman's prodnftions into a more compaft and digefted form; while
his figures of Englifh Spiders will derive additional advantage, from being
joined in one volume with Mr. CLERCK'S learned and elaborate Treatife.
There can be no doubt, that feparately executed in a fuperior ftyle of
truth and beauty, the two works would have been acceptable prefents to
the public; but the editor flatters himfelf, that united as they here are,
they will ftill farther be found to refleft mutual light on each other. '1
IN the year 1739, the illuftrious Linnaeus began his leftures on
NATURAL HISTORY, at Stockholm.
IT fortunately happened that I had an opportunity, with a great many
others, to attend them; and though, before that time, my occupations had
prevented me from paying attention to the fcience of NATURAL
HISTORY; yet I now could not refift the zeal, with which the captivating
manner of inftruction, in which our illuftrious prefident fo much excels,
had infpired me.
I SHALL fay nothing of the profound knowledge, the admirable
power of refearch, the love of truth and of our fociety, together with
the other virtues of that great man; but ihall content myfelf with acknowledging
him (after the example of the moft eminent Naturalifts)
as the guide of their enquiries.
A