Xi PNT R ODUCT ION. being; and he hopes that, when duly confidered, a ferious defire to promote the welfare of thofe who have not adverted fo much as he himfelf has done to the fubjeéts treated, will be found to be the prevailing charatteriftic of the work. He has ftated what he deems uaeaneiee truths with the greater freedom and. precifion, becaufe he be- lieves that, fhould he neglect to do it, few others would feel themfelves inclined to do fo. From this laft confideration, he is perhaps better pleaf- ed that the publication is in it’s prefent form, than if it had been given to the public as was origi- nally intended: for feveral facts are here ftated with lefs referve than he fears the board of agri- culture would have been willing to allow, if the work had been publifhed under their patronage. He begs that the reader may underftand that the facts alluded to in the fol lowing letters, had no fhare whatever in his determination to with- draw thefe effays from the board: for it is a truth, that he had intimated fuch intention to the board, with the reafons for it, before he had any know- ledge of the fats which gave rife to the fecond letter. Thefe letters are here reprinted, merely with a view to vindicate the charaéter of the au- thor from the flur that was apparently thrown upon it by the conduét of the gentleman to whom

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