MAN is placed in the scale of creation at the head of the animal kingdom, and endowed, firs with a meterial nature, in which he comes under laws common to the whole material world. He has also an organic nature, likewise an animal nature, an intellectual nature, and a moral nature.

Whoever breaks any of the laws which govern these natures, must be subject to the penalties annexed to them. The higher the nature, the greater the pen

alty.

Dr JOHNSON says, "Health is so necessary to all the duties, as well as to all the pleasures of life, that the crime of squandering it is greater than the folly; and he that for a short gratification brings weakness and disease upon himself, and for the pleasure of a few years, condemns the maturer and more experienced part of his life to the chamber and the couch, may be justly reproached, not only as a spendthrift of his own happi. ness, but as the robber of the public,-as a wretch that has voluntarily disqualified himself for the business of his station, and refused that part which Providence as signs him in the general task of human nature."

PREFACE.

THE Discourses of Cornaro have been

great favorites with the reading public, ever since they first appeared; and have been translated into most foreign languages. In this country, in especial, they have been sought after with great eagerness; and hardly a year elapses without the appearance of a reprint; which is almost imme

diately exhausted.

This fact serves to

indicate, that the sound principles and maxims of TEMPERANCE of the "old man eloquent" are, though centuries have elapsed since his decease, still efficient in turning men to a sober and temperate life; and in connection with the great reformation now taking place among us, in relation to temperance, demonstrates the utility of his precepts, by showing us the fruit of them.

The former editions of the Works of

Cornaro, which have appeared in this country, are mere reprints of the English translation of 1768, and contain but four

of his "Discourses," as they are termed

by the English editor. The short and meagre notice of the Author, which is prefixed to the English edition, has also been servilely copied, with all its errors and deficiencies, in all the American reprints.

Wishing to give to the world an edition,

which might, in some respects, at least, be superior to its predecessors, I requested of Signor Piero Maroncelli, a gentleman of great learning and ability, a Biographical Memoir of Cornaro. Signor Maroncelli acceded to my request, and the reader will perceive, upon a perusal of his Sketch of the Life of Cornaro, that he has performed the task with great fidelity and ac