eſt, tabula quadam deſcriptum indicaret, I thought it a criminal Action to conceal ſuch important Diſcoveries as had been intruſted to my Care.
Beſides, how do I know, but the bringing theſe to Light, may in ſome meaſure be a means to preſerve our Country from all the Confuſion and Madneſs, which the reſt of the World will be involv'd in; and continue us in that happy Situation, and that Spirit of improving our Laws, Arts and Manufactures, which I have ſhewn we ſhall enjoy in the following Centuries, when the other Kingdoms of the Earth are to labour, as it were, in actual Convulſions, and be jumbled together, like the Mountains and Plains of Jamaica in the dreadful Earthquake in 1692.
As to my Care and Conduct in this Edition, I fear indeed how great ſoever it has been, Men will be diſpleaſed with me, as having beſtowed much leſs on it, than ſo invaluable a Treaſure will ſeem to have deſerv'd. Some will cenſure me for having conceal'd and ſuppreſs'd many important Secrets, relating to our publick Affairs and Miniſters, Peace and War, the Trade of the Nation, and the Conduct of the Throne; without conſidering the dangerous Conſe-quences,
