Page 4

4            I N T R
   Encouraged by the favorable reception which has been given of late to
works
 of this kind, particularly to the Ruins of Palmyra and Balbec, I now prefent
 the fruits of my labor to the public. I am far from comparing my undertaking
 with that of Meffieurs Dawkins, Bouverie, and Wood, one of the moft
 fplendid and liberal that was ever attempted by private perfons. I was not,
 like thefe gentlemen, obliged to traverfe defarts, or to expofe myfelf to
the
 infults of barbarians; nor can the remains of a fingle Palace vie with thofe
 furprifing and almoft unknown monuments of fequeflered grandeur which they
 have brought to light; but at a time when the admiration of the Grecian
and
 Roman Architedlure has rifen to fuch a height in Britain, as to banifh in
a great
 meafure all fantaftic and frivolous tafles, and to make it neceffary for
every
 Architeal to Rudy and to imitate the ancient manner, I flatter myfelf that
this
 work, executed at confiderable expence, the effeal of great labor and
 perseverance, and which contains the only full and accurate Defigns that
have
 hitherto been publifhed of any private Edifice of the Ancients, will be
received
 with indulgence, and may, perhaps, b& efteemed an acquifition of fome
importance.
A
0 D U C T I
0 N.