HI 



of the subsequent pages, tlie author has to observe 

 that they are always the result of consideration, 

 and if upon literary subjects were not formed 

 until after a careful perusal of the works upon 

 which the criticisms are made. In none of such 

 remarks has he given vent to any personal feel- 

 ings of jealousy or pique, for the l)est of all rea- 

 sons, viz. that not a shadow of such feelings exist. 

 He has only expressed his opinions, and those 

 who differ with him in these, will do him but jus- 

 tice by considering him, if really wrong, as guilty 

 of no greater crime in such instances than an 

 error of judgment. 



The author has the ungrateful task of confessing 

 his knowledge that his work is very far from per- 

 fect. Owing to the very numerous authorities 

 he has had to consult, and in the extracts made, 

 errors it is feared may have arisen ; but there are 

 none that diligence could prevent. In confessing 

 such imperfection he follows the example of a 

 labourer in the same field with himself, "■ 1 see 

 daily, says Professor Martyn, Complete Systems, 

 and Complete Dictionaries ; but 1 cannot disco- 

 ver this perfection in any of my performances, 

 which after all my labour and pains, most pro- 

 vokingly still continue incomplete and erroneous."' 

 This confession is no affectation of linmility, the 

 author of the following pages em[)loyc(] his best 



