Lexicon Technicum/Introduction

The Design of an INTRODUCTION to a Book, being to lead the Reader into it, and to acquaint him what it contains; I shall observe that Method here.

He is therefore to understand, that when I first began this Work, I foresaw the Design could not be accomplish'd in One Volume; but however, I thought it more proper to Publish one Volume first, than to defer Printing any thing at all of it till the Whole was finished: For as it is easy to see, that new Matter will continually occur in a Design of this Nature, and, consequently, that there can be no such thing as a Perfect Book of this Kind; so I thought it better to send out an Imperfect one than none, and to afford some Help to Men's Improvement in Philosophy and Mathematical Studies, rather than leave them to stay four or five Years for a more Compleat one. And the unprejudic'd Part of the Learned World have been so kind, as to take my Endeavours as I meant them; and by taking off almost Two Impressions of the former Volume, and numerously subscribing to this, make me hope, the Pains I have taken, and the Time I have employed this Way, may be of some Use and Benefit to Mankind, and to the Improvement of Solid and Substantial Philosophy.