ABSTRACT
THE PREFACE There is not any Speculation, which affords a more agreeable Pleasure to the Mind, than that of beholding from what Obscure and Mean Beginnings, the most Polite and Entertaining Arts have risen to be the Admiration and Delight of Mankind. To pursue them up to the most Abstruse Fountains, and then to view by what Steps they arise to Perfection; does not only excite an Amazement at their increase; but an Impatient Desire of Inventing some New Subject, to be improv’d and advanc’d by Posterity.
