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ADVERTISEMENT.

THE entire Works attributed to sir Walter Ralegh being now printed for the first time in an uniform edition, it may be expected that some statement should be given of the plan adopted in collecting materials for the present volumes.

The edition of the History of the World, as published by Mr. William Oldys in 1736, having always been considered to be the most correct in text and typography, it was, at first, intended to follow that edition exclusively; but upon a comparison of some doubtful readings with the earlier copies, it appeared that not only Oldys had made several arbitrary and unnecessary alterations, but that the printer had executed his task with considerable carelessness and inaccuracy; in some chapters having left out entire passages, and in others disfigured them by partial omissions or alterations, which either weakened or destroyed the sense. Under these

The subjoined instances, taken at random, may suffice to establish the truth of what has been stated above. Their number might be easily augmented.

Vol. I. p. 17. I. 11. incorporal it cannot be, because it sometime affecteth the sight of the eye with offence. Ed. Oldys, -incorporal it cannot be, because it is sensible: sensible it

is, because it sometime affecteth the sight of the eye with offence. Ed. 1614.

· p.

ib. 26. 1. 22. only it may be said, that originally there is no other difference between heat and fire. Ed. Oldys.-only it may be said, that originally there is no other difference between matter and form than between heat and fire. Ed. 1614.

ib. p. 36. l. 14. amor Dei est

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