upon elementary principles, he has given in the very words of the writer from whom they have been selected. It has been, in a word, his anxious desire, to present his ideas and sentiments to the reader in such a garb, as would at once render them most striking, and most perspicuous. With the best and fairest intentions, however, we are too apt to fall into errors and mistakes, while we are engaged in the eager pursuit of a favourite object. Should, therefore, the Author have inadvertently failed to quote, or neglected the opinion of any enlightened philosopher, in whose footsteps he has with reverence endeavoured to tread, he has unaffectedly to solicit the indulgence of the the reader for that, which he must consider as a loss and a misfortune peculiarly applicable to himself. For accidental omissions of particular references, the candid reader will think a general apology sufficient. In fine, as the purpose of the following pages, is not to intrude upon the learned an unnecessary repetition of what they already know, but to point out the paths of knowledge to the less instructed, and to excite an attention to objects in which all men are equally, and in the highest degree, interested; it is hoped, that an attempt in so wide a field, and in so good a cause, should it not be entitled to approbation, will, however, be received with candour. The The reader is requested to correct the typographical and other errors, which are noticed in the errata, and which were occasioned by the Author's being frequently unable to attend to the revision of the Press. CONTENTS. SWITZERLAND, a situation favourable to philoso- Design of these Letters to counteract early prejudices against religion---danger of contracting such preju- dices in travelling.---Superstition leads to infidelity--- Illiberality of ridiculing religious institutions and priests |