This Version of Cicero's Tract _de Senectute_, was made Ten Years since, by the Honourable and Learned Mr. Logan, of this City; undertaken partly for his own Amusement, (being then in his 60th Year, which is said to be nearly the Age of the Author when he wrote it) but principally for the Entertainment of a Neighbour then in his grand Climacteric; and the Notes were drawn up solely on that Neighbour's Account, who was not so well acquainted as himself with the Roman History and Language: Some other Friends, however, (among whom I had the Honour to be ranked) obtained Copies of it in MS. And, as I believed it to be in itself equal at least, if not far preferable to any other Translation of the same Piece extant in our Language, besides the Advantage it has of so many valuable Notes, which at the same time they clear up the Text, are highly instructive and entertaining; I resolved to give it an Impression, being confident that the Publick would not unfavourably receive it. A certain Freed-man of _Cicero's_ is reported to have said of a medicinal Well, discovered in his Time, wonderful for the Virtue of its Waters in restoring Sight to the Aged, That it was a Gift of the bountiful Gods to Men, to the end that all might now have the Pleasure of reading his Master's Works. As that Well, if still in being, is at too great a Distance for our Use, I have, _Gentle Reader_, as thou seest, printed this Piece of _Cicero's_ in a large and fair Character, that those who begin to think on the Subject of Old Age, (which seldom happens till their Sight is somewhat impair'd by its Approaches) may not, in Reading, by the _Pain_ small Letters give the Eyes, feel the _Pleasure_ of the Mind in the least allayed. I shall add to these few Lines my hearty Wish, that this first Translation of a _Classic_ in this _Western World_, may be followed with many others, performed with equal Judgment and Success; and be a happy Omen, that _Philadelphia_ shall become the Seat of the _American_ Muses. Philadelphia, Febr. 29. 1743/4. TO JOHN FRANKLIN, AT BOSTON[31] Philadelphia [March 10], 1745.