there are numbers of religions, the chances are very great, that in some part it must have attacked the religion of the person whose opinion he takes; whence it follows, that the chances are in proportion to the whole numbers of religions which exist to one, that he depends on a prejudiced person, and is deceived. All this will operate against the the book; but how can I expect any better?—for the immediate effect of my theory, if universally received, would be, to render obsolete nine-tenths of all the literature of the world, and to overthrow almost every prevailing system of history, chronology, and religion. But founding my opinion on a thorough conviction that I have solved the great problem and have discovered the long-lost truths of antiquity which have been so long sought for in vain, I feel no doubt that the time will come when my discovery will be adopted, when the errors in the work or in the system will be corrected, and the truth it contains will be duly appreciated, and that, if I have succeeded in developing the origin of religions, nations, and languages, it will by degrees make its way. Besides, the schoolmaster is abroad. Tempora mutantur, et veritas prævalebit.
I shall be found frequently to express a suspicion; as for instance, I have a suspicion, or I have a strong suspicion. I think it right to apprize my reader, that when I use these words, I really mean that I suspect or conjecture, and that however numerous may be the proofs which I produce, I yet admit a doubt, and by no means intend to place the credit of my work upon the absolute truth of the doctrines so doubtfully advanced by me. Of course among such an innumerable number of references contained in the notes, errors would have been found, even if my eyes had not begun to fail me, and to verify them it is impossible to travel again over all the libraries from Glasgow to Naples. I shall be thankful for any corrections.
In many places the explanations of words will be found to be given in numbers. This has been generally treated by the learned with contempt. I think it right to give notice to the reader, that before this work is finished, this buffoonery, as it has been called by those who did not understand it, and who were too idle or too proud to inquire what could be the cause that the most learned of the ancients used such a practice, will be found of the very first importance, and to be any thing but buffoonery.
It is also necessary to observe, that if an observation or notice of an ancient custom should sometimes appear, which may be thought to be introduced without good cause, it is not therefore to be concluded that all persons will be of that opinion. I think it right to warn my reader, that there are more passages than one in the book, which are of that nature, which will be perfectly understood by my masonic friends, but which my engagements prevent my explaining to the world at large.
My masonic friends will find their craft very often referred to. I believe, however, that they will not find any of their secrets betrayed; but I trust they will find it proved, that their art is the remains of a very fine ancient system, or, perhaps, more properly, a branch of the fine and beautiful system of wisdom which, in this work, I have developed.
In the latter part of the work many facts are stated and observations made which
