PREFACE. XY 



The rule, then, which was laid down and pur- 

 sued, with respect to the choice or suppression 

 of what the diary afforded, was this : to extract 

 from thence no more than was apparently con- 

 duciTC to one or other of these ends, viz. either 

 to the connecting some parts of this life together, 

 and adjusting the series of his actions and writ- 

 ings in proper order of time ; or to the clearing 

 up and explaining the more remarkable matters 

 of fact that occur in this account ; or to the 

 proving and contirming what is said of his sen- 

 timents and principles in politics ; or to the 

 giving him his just and true character in all 

 parts of life, and disproving ivhatever hath been 

 falsely reported of him, either by those who 

 knew him not, or those who would not judge 

 the most favourably of him, through the preju- 

 dice of party. 



Thus far, it is apprehended, no exceptions 

 ought to be taken against the use made of his 

 private comment. For, supposing it to be never 

 so solemnly devoted to secrecy, it may be de- 

 cently and unblameably appealed to, and quoted 

 for the establishing truth, and detecting false*>„ 



13 



