] P R E F A C E. RE L A T I O N S of voyages, and travels have at all times, and in all ages, fmce the invention of letters, been favourably received by the public : but, perhaps, in no age fo well as in the prefent; writings of this kind being bought up with avidity and read with eagernefs, more efpecially in this iiland, not only by the learned and polite, but alfo by the rude and illiterate. The reafon is evident. The age in which we live, has not unfrequent- ly been accufed o f' frivolity and indolence. With what iuftice, it is not our buiinefs at prefent to determine. Its turn for experiment, however, and difpoiition to enquire into fails is univerfally acknowledged : and indeed, may, perhaps, be partly deduced from the principle above- mentioned. Now every authentic and well-written book o f voyages and travels is, in fail, a treatife of experimen- A 2 tal
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