_To the most Illustrious, the most Noble and Magnificent Lords, the
Lords President and Counsellors of the Chamber of Health, of the City
and Republick of_ Berne.
_Most honourable Lords_,
When I first published the following Work, my utmost Partiality to it
was not sufficient to allow me the Confidence of addressing it to Your
Lordships. But Your continual Attention to all the Objects, which have
any Relation to that important Part of the Administration of the State,
which has been so wisely committed to Your Care, has induced You to take
Notice of it. You have been pleased to judge it might prove useful, and
that an Attempt must be laudable, which tends to the Extermination of
erroneous and inveterate Prejudices, those cruel Tyrants, that are
continually opposing the Happiness of the People, even under that Form
and Constitution of Government, which is the best adapted to establish
and to increase it.
Your Lordships Approbation, and the splendid Marks of [2] Benevolence,
with which You have honoured me, have afforded me a juster Discernment
of the Importance of this Treatise, and have inclined me to hope, _most
Illustrious, most Noble, and Magnificent Lords_, that You will permit
this new Edition of it to appear under the Sanction of your Auspices;
that while the Publick is assured of Your general Goodness and
Beneficence, it may also be informed of my profoundly grateful Sense of
them, on the same Occasion.
[2] See the Author's Preface, immediately following this Dedication.
May the present Endeavour then, in fully corresponding to my Wishes,
effectually realize Your Lordships utmost Expectations from it; while
You condescend to accept this small Oblation, as a very unequal
Expression of that profound Respect, with which I have the Honour to be,
_Most Illustrious, Most Noble, and Magnificent Lords,_
_Your most humble_
_And most_
_Obedient Servant_,
_TISSOT._
_Lausanne_,
_Dec. 3, 1762._