The logicians school-master: or, A comment upon Ramus logick.: By Mr. Alexander Richardson, sometime of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge. Whereunto are added, his prelections on Ramus his grammer; Taleus his rhetorick; also his notes on physicks, ethicks, astronomy, medicine, and opticks. Never before published.

The Book-seller to the Reader.

Courteous Reader,

THe Author hereof, Mr. Alex∣ander Richardson, was a man of transcendent parts, and most sublimate intellectu∣als, whereby he attained unto such a perfection in all Arts and Sciences, that there is nothing almost of liberal and ingenuous literature, which he had not in-sight into; and that such as to be able to lay down a systeme of it in most exact and methodical Pre∣cepts: and had his Abilities been drawn forth to the full advantage, doubtless the Arts had received a considerable improvement beyond what the world hath yet been acquainted with∣al. But so it is, that what by his want of Health, and what by the singular modesty of his Disposition (known unto them that knew him) the Common-wealth of Learning hath

been deprived of so great a felicity. Neither yet did he envy others the Fruits of his own A∣bilities, but was alwayes most ready to impart and communicate what he knew; which those of his time (divers of whom are still surviving) knew very well how to make good use of: For though he was but Master of Arts, (and not Fellow) of Queens Colledge, yet did divers Graduates from several Colledges flock unto his Lectures, and what he freely discoursed unto them in several Sciences, they as eagerly took from his mouth in writing, and then communi∣cated unto others; which found such general acceptance, that happy was he who could make himself Master of Richardson's Notes, which they refused not to purchase at any pains in transcribing. For indeed they could easily perceive in him a reach beyond ordinary men, and that his words carried further; he dived deep, even unto the bottom of Entity, while o∣thers did but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and lick the Glass. But among many other Notes of his those of his Commentary on Ramus Logick were most

generally prized and made use of by young Students: whereof (though long since printed) there are many Copies in Manuscript still in being; and indeed it was his Logick whereby, as by a Key, he opened the secrets of all other Arts and Sciences, to the admiration of all that heard him. I have therfore adventured upon this Second Impression, and have added to it his Prelections on Ramus his Grammer, Taleus his Rhetorick; also his Notes on Physicks, Ethicks, Astronomy, Medi∣cine, and Opticks, which I doubt not but they will meet with thy Acceptance proportionable to their worth, whereby I may be Encouraged to offer to thy view such other of his Works, as I can meet withal, which do yet sleep (as these have done hitherto) in the hands of Pri∣vate men.

Sam. Thomson.