Page:Theophrastus - History of Stones - Hill (1774).djvu/11



HE References to, and Quotations from him, fo frequent in the Works of all the later Writers of Foils, would make one believe, nothing was more univerally known, or perfectly undertood, than the Treatie before us: But when we enquire into the Truth, we hall find, that though no Author is o often quoted, few are o little undertood; or, indeed, have been o little read: Thoe who are free with his Name, having given themelves little Trouble about his Works, and only taken upon trut from one another, what was originally quoted from him by Pliny. As to that