102 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



By passing through an impartial and judicious ordeal and scrutiniz- 

 ing with a severe test the import and value of the divers documents and 

 plans brought forth, and carefully comparing, analyzing and weighing 

 M^hat appears to be conflicting evidence, we may reasonably expect to de- 

 finitely settle what little remains of difficult, obscure or doubtful points 

 and debatable ground respecting this grand historic achievement. 



In the meantime we may be allowed to venture a few remarks on 

 some particular data on which we happen to differ, as presented to us by 

 Mr. Doughty and his collaborators; and we anticipate they shall not be 

 constructed amiss. For be it well understood we have not the least idea 

 of disparaging the value of the scholarly and elaborate production of the 

 authors in its general embodiment, but it would be undignified and un- 

 manly on our part, if by reason of the consensus of approval and praise 

 we have seen and heard, we were to be thereby silenced, and deterred from 

 expressing out views when occasions arise for a reasonable criticism, 

 based upon the very documents we have the opportunity of perusing for 

 the first time. 



If, therefore, we should meet in the course of the narrative what 

 may appear to us inaccurate, erroneous, or contradictory assertions or in- 

 complete statements ; one-sided appreciations, deductions and conclusions 

 more or less venturesome; discrepancies and disagreements between the 

 collaborators themselves, or between the proof and the suppositive or in- 

 ventive process of the writers, — then we are bound to point them out for 

 fthe sake of historical accuracy; however supported they are by much 

 display of learning, great skill, and nice ingenuity of exposition ; and we 

 feel the more obliged to expose them because they are often rendered 

 attractive by an agreeable style, presented in a handsome and appropriate 

 garb, and adorned with artistic illustrations, all which tend to pre- 

 possess, even captivate the superficial or unwary reader. 



In pursuing, for the present, a limited investigation and confining 

 it to two ]>rincipal points, we shall endeavour to carry it with due caution 

 and discrimination, avoiding acrid or unnecessary disputations or petty 

 criticisms. A temperate discussion, supported by well grounded con- 

 siderations, tends more to display the literary value of the work and the 

 attainments of Mr. Doughty personally. This course is rather compli- 

 mentary than otherwise. 



We may premise by submitting that although we acknowledge the 

 head author of this extensive publication to be a persevering and fortun- 

 ate collector of precious historical documents, yet we cannot refrain from 

 expressing our matured opinion that he and his contributors have not 

 always shown a strong and sure grasp in handling them, and have been 

 misled into some avoidable errors. 



