ESSAYS

ON

PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS.

VOL. V.

E

ADVERTISEMENT

BY

THE EDITORS.

HE much lamented Author of these

TH

Effays left them in the hands of his friends to be difpofed of as they thought proper, having immediately before his death destroyed many other manufcripts which he thought unfit for being made public. When thefe were infpected, the greater number of them appeared to be parts of a plan he once had formed, for giving a connected hiftory of the liberal fciences and elegant arts. It is long fince he found it neceffary to abandon that plan as far too extenfive; and thefe parts of it lay befide him neglected until his death. His friends are perfuaded however, that the reader will find in them that happy connection, that full and accurate expreffion, and that clear illuftration which are confpicuous in the reft

E 2

reft of his works; and that though it is difficult to add much to the great fame he fo juftly acquired by his other writings, these will be read with fatisfaction and pleasure.

JOSEPH BLACK.

JAMES HUTTON.

THE

PRINCIPLES

WHICH LEAD AND DIRECT

PHILOSOPHICAL ENQUIRIES;

ILLUSTRATED BY THE

HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY.