SUCH was, no doubt, the defign of Dr. Turner in the prefent publication; and if he did not render it more copious and comprehenfive, it was neither for want of inclination nor ability, but merely from a defire of confining the fize of the book, as well as its price, within as narrow limits as poffible. He intended however, had he lived, to have made many additions to the present impreffion. These he propofed chiefly to introduce in the article of Phyfics or Natural Philosophy, convinced, that what he had already faid on Metaphyfics and Moral Philosophy was as much as was neceffary or proper for those, for whofe ufe the book was exprefsly compofed. THE Editor of the fourth Edition had an opportunity of being perfectly acquainted with the Doctor's fentiments in these particulars, and endeavoured to execute his intentions in the best manner he could. THE Additions, that were therein made to the work, were interfperfed through various parts of it; but will chiefly be met with in the APPENDIX at the end, where the reader will fee two pretty long articles; the first containing an Abridgment of Natural History, the second representing the present state of Electricity; a fcience almost entirely new, and totally unknown to the ancients; and which, though it had fo long escaped the researches of mankind, is yet supposed to be the real fource of many of those phænomena or appearances, which were formerly thought to be owing to a very different cause. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIFTH EDITION. THE HE liberal Patronage of a generous Public, which has rewarded the Proprietor's Exertions by the rapid Sale of four large Impreffions, has called forth his gratitude in caufing the present Edition to be revised and improved. In the Articles of Phyfics, (particularly on Volcanoes) Cofmography, Geography, and History, many Improvements have been made, as a very flight Comparifon must fully demonftrate. No Care or Expence have, in fhort, been wanting to render it ftill more deferving of that general Approbation, with which it has been fanctioned through the former Editions, by the Corrections, Additions, and Advantages of the prefent. CONTENTS. III. The Winds-Clouds and Mifts-Rain 5 II |