PREFACE To' " THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND." PART II. THE author's name, which is prefixed to this book, renders it altogether needless for us to say any thing to recommend it ; and we need not assure any judicious reader, who has been conversant with Dr. Watts's writings, -that this is the genuine work of that author ; for he cannot fail of discerning the Doctor's easystyle, and beautiful manner of expression in every page. Weesteem it an honour done us by that truly great man, that he was pleased by his last will, to entrust as with his manuscripts which he designed for the press ; however, he lived to publish several of those himself, after his will was made, so that not many remain to lie published by us. Some indeed there are remaining, which he did originally intend for the press, but liio bro- ken state of health did not permit him to finish them, and they are left too imperfect to be ever published. Of this sort, among other'., is the larger Discourse on Psalmody, which he gave notice of his intention to publish in thepreface to the second edition of his Hymns, when he withdrew the shorter Essay on thatsubject, which was annexed to the first edition. There are also among his manuscripts, some tracts relatingto a doctrinal controversy, which the Doctor bad been engaged in, but which theworld seems to be tired of i so that, most probably, this second part of the Improvement of the Mind, with the Discourse onEducation, and some additions to the Reliquice Jove.; stiles, are all the posthumous works of Dr. Watts that will ever be printed. As to this work in particular, a considerablepart of it was corrected for the pressby the Doctor's own hand ; and as to the rest of it, he did not leave it so far unfinished as should, in his own judgment, discourage the publishing it ; for he has left this noie in a paper along with it,. " Though this book, or the second volume of the Improvementof the Mind, is not so far finished as I could wish, yet I leave it among the number of books corrected for the press ; for it is very easy for any person of genius and science to finish it, and publish it in a form sufficiently useful to the world." The corrections we have presumed to make are comparatively but few and trivial ; and when, now and then, it was thoughtneedful to add a line or two for the illustration of any passage, it is generally put in the form of a note at the foot of the page. It may perhapsbe expected we should make some apology, for delaying the publishing of this hook so long after the author's death; a book that has been so much expected and no earnestly desired, as appearsby several letters found in the Doctor's study, from eminent persons and from learned societies. There are various causes that have contributed to the delay, which the world, need not be informed of; but the remote distanceof our habitations, and the Multiplicity of business in which each of us is statedly engaged, are circum- stances pretty generally known, and which WP hope will he admitted in ex- cuse for some part of the delay, and somepart the booksellers must answer for. However, we are the less solicitous to apologize for not publishing this book sooner, as we'are satisfied it will be welcome now it comes; and that those who, upon reading the first volume, have so earnestly desired the second, will not bedisappointed when they read it. Wehave only to add, our most sincere wishes and prayers, that a book so admirably suited to improve the minds of men, especially of the rising generation, and to promote universal goodness, as this appears to be, may be attendedwith a blessingfro in on high. D .1c'-,!Nos. June 26, l731. P. Llunna cz.
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