IT is hoped that the great variety
of new, useful, curious and en-
tertaining articles which will be
found in the following work, will en-
title it to a favourable reception from
the public.  No pains nor expence
have been spared to give it as much
accuracy and perfection as the nature
of such a work will admit of.  And
though we do not flatter ourselves
that it will be absolutely free from
errors or imperfections, yet we doubt
not but the candid reader will find
so much to commend, that he will
easily be inclined to excuse some un-
avoidable deficiencies.