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The PREFACE.
iii

is taken from an original painting done in the latter part of his life, and now in the collection of Dr. Mead.

V. The Life contains Mr. Boyle's own Account of himſelf during his minority, extending to the year 1642; and is continued to his death from the beſt materials that could be procured at this disſtance of time, and without mosſt of thoſe advantages which Dr. Burnet biſhop of Saliſbury, and Dr. William Wotton, who had the ſame deſign near fifty years ago, might have obtained for the execution of it. The only qualities I can engage for are induſtry and fidelity; but the genius and abilities of a Gaſſendus would be requiſite to do juſtice to a character ſuperior even to that of the celebrated Peireſkius.

I must not conclude this preface without returning my ſincereſt acknowledgements to Mr. Miles abovementioned, to whoſe great labour, judgment, and ſagacity, the conduct and improvements of this edition are chiefly to be aſcribed; and to Mr. John Ward, profeſſor of rhetoric at Greſham college, whoſe advice and aſſiſtance I have found extremely ready and uſeful to me upon this and all other occaſions.

THOMAS BIRCH.

London, Nov. 16, 1743.

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