INQUIRIES

CONCERNING

CHRISTIANIT Y.

BY

M. CHARLES BONNET,

OF GENEVA, F. R. S.

MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF

PARIS, &c. &c.

TRANSLATED BY

JOHN LEWIS BOISSIER, Esq.

Philadelphia:

PREFACE

OF THE

TRANSLATOR.

MR. CHARLES BONNET, of Geneva, from whose works I have selected and translated this volume, is not of the Clerical profession, but is a gentleman of independent fortune. He is held in the highest esteem in the literary world, as a metaphysician, philosopher, and explorer of nature. His deep views, and the light he has thrown on various subjects, give him an undoubted claim to the reputation he enjoys.*

* A complete and new edition of Mr. Bonnet's works was published in 1779, at Neufchatel, in 10 vols. 4to. and 18 vols. Svo.—The contents of the 8vo. edition are as follows: Treatise of Insectology

1 vol. Various Observations on Insects

1 Memoirs of Natural History

1 Inquiries concerning the use of Leaves 1 Considerations on Organized Bodies

2 Contemplations of Nature