are deſign'd to enlighten the Nations of the Earth, they will be treated with the utmoſt Admiration and Reverence; nor need I from any unjuſt Imagination of their ill reception, threaten the World, as Apollo did on the ill Fortune of his unhappy Phaethon, to leave it hereafter in eternal Darkneſs, as a juſt mark of my Reſentment, ſince I am perſuaded all that have Eyes will ſee and applaud the Light I am lending to them. Naturaliſts tell us, that ſetting up a burning Torch in fenny or marſhy Grounds, is a ſure Method to ſhut up the clamorous Throats, and ſilence the Croaking of Frogs; and I hope the amazing Splendour and Brightneſs of this Work, will have the ſame happy effect on my envious Maligners, and quiet the noiſy Tongues of dull Objectors.
Not that I expect to have it treated at firſt Sight, as well as it deſerves; for as all who ſet up for extraordinary Diſcoveries that are reveal'd to them, ought to be receiv'd with Diffidence, and hearken'd to with Caution, I make no doubt, but many People may be ready enough to ſuſpect me as an Impoſtor, in theſe I am communicating to them. And I almoſt imagine my ſelf engag'd, with one of my Readersof
