_ADVERTISEMENT_.

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_In the following Inquiry I have inserted four engraved Charts, in
order to illustrate the subjects treated of in the Book, by a method
approved of both in this and in other countries. {4}

The Chart, No. 1, representing the rise and fall of all nations or
countries, that have been particularly distinguished for wealth or
power, is the first of the sort that ever was engraved, and has,
therefore, not yet met with public approbation.

It is constructed to give a distinct view of the migrations of commerce
and of wealth in general. For a very accurate view, there are no
materials in existence; neither would it lead to any very different
conclusion, if the proportional values were ascertained with the
greatest accuracy.

I first drew the Chart in order to clear up my own ideas on the
subject, finding it very troublesome to retain a distinct notion of the
changes that had taken place. I found it answer the purpose beyond my
expectation, by bringing into one view the result of details that are
dispersed over a very wide and intricate field of universal history;
facts sometimes connected with each other, sometimes not, and always
requiring reflection each time they were referred to. I found the first
rough draft give =sic= me a better