PRINTED BY WILLIAM SAVAGE, BEDFORD BURY, AND SOLD BY T. PAYNE, AND R. H. EVANS, IN PALL-MALL; NEW BOND STREET. 1809. PREFACE. THE Library of the Royal Institution has been founded by the liberality of a few Noblemen and Gentlemen, for the immediate use of the Subscribers to that. Establishment, and it may be said, for that of the Public at large; as any person, on the recommendation of one of the Patrons, may always have access to it. The Library, in its present state, will be found as useful as many more splendid establishments, supported by Royal or National munificence. It contains the best and most useful Edition of every Greek and Roman Classic Author, with the best translations in English, and some in other modern languages. The Class of Mathematical Science in all its branches is very full, with the best Scientific Journals and Transactions of learned and philosophical Societies. The Historical Class, particularly the English, in its various divisions and subdivisions, will be found very interesting: the Managers having, at the formation of the Library, procured the entire collection of the late Thomas Astle, Esq. Author of The |