_The first is that, which Messrs. *Heidegger*, the Booksellers published in the *German* Language at *Zurich*, about a Year since. I should have been highly delighted with the meer Approbation of *__M. Hirzel__*, first Physician of the Canton of *Zurich, &c.* whose superior and universal Talents; whose profound Knowledge in the Theory of Physick; and the Extent and Success of whose Practice have justly elevated him among the small Number of extraordinary Men of our own Times; he having lately obtained the Esteem and the Thanks of all *Europe,* for the History of one of her [3] Sages. But I little expected the Honour this Gentleman has done me, in translating the *Advice to the People* into his own Language. Highly sensible nevertheless as I am of this Honour, I must always reflect with Regret, that he has consumed that important Time, in rendering my Directions intelligible to his Countrymen, which he might have employed much more usefully, in obliging the World with his own._ _He has enriched his Translation with an excellent Preface, which is chiefly employed in a just and beautiful Portrait and Contrast of the true, and of the false Physician; with which I should have done myself the Pleasure to have adorned the present [4] Edition; if the Size of this Volume, already too large, had not proved an Obstacle to so considerable an Addition; and if the Manner, in which *Mr.* *__Hirzel__* speaks of its Author, had permitted me with Decency to publish his Preface. I have been informed by some Letters, that there have been two other *German* Translation of it; but I am not informed by whom. However, *__M. Hirzel's__* Preface, his own Notes, and some Additions with which I have furnished him, renders his Edition preferable to the first in *French*, and to the other *German* Translations already made._ [3] _Le Socrate rustique_, a Work, which every Person should read. [4] This Preface is indeed premised to this _French_ Edition, but a Translation of it was omitted, to avoid extending the Bulk and Price of the Work. Dr. _Tissot_ must then have been ignorant of this Addition, when first published at _Lyons_. _The Second Edition is that, which the younger *__Didot__*, the Bookseller, published towards the End of the Winter at *Paris*. He had requested me to furnish him with some Additions to it, which I could not readily comply with._