Printed for J. and R. TONSON, A. MILLAR, E. BAL TO THE REA DE R, IT T has been a long Time in my Thought to turn Seneca into English: But whether as a Tranflation, or an Abftract, was the Queftion. A Tranflation I perceive it muft not be, at last, for several Reasons. First, it is a Thing already done to my Hand, and above fixty Years ftanding; though with as little Credit perhaps to the Author, as Satisfaction to the Reader. Secondly, There is a great deal in him, that is wholly foreign to my Bufinefs! As his philofophical Treatifes of Meteors, Earthquakes, the Original of Rivers, feveral frivolous Difputes betwixt the Epicureans and the Sticks, &c. to fay nothing of the frequent Repetitions of the fame Thing again in other Words (wherein he very handsomely excufes himfelf, by faying, That he dies but inculcate over and over the fami Caunfels, to thofe that over and over commit the fame Faults) Thirdly, his Excellency confifts rather in a Rharfody of divine and extraordinary Hints, and Netions, than in any regulated Method of Difcourfe; fo that to take him as he lies, and fo to go through with him, were utterly inconfiftent with the Order and Brevity which I propound; my principal Defign being only to digeft, and common-pace his Morals, in fuch fort, that any Man, upon Occafion, may know where to find them. And I have kept myself so close to this Propofition, that |