HE piece of history in the beginning of this tenth volume, which includes the reign of Hiero II, and goes on to the taking of Syracufe by the Romans, had entirely ef caped me, it being indeed a detached part, that has no connection with the other hiftories. I was not aware of this omiffion till fome time after I had made it, and the twenty fecond book, which treats of arts and fciences, was begun to be printed. This is not the only error my want of memory has occafioned me to commit. I hope to be pardoned for it, as well as the rest of my faults, and the more, because it seems next to entirely indifferent where this fragment of history is placed.