PREFACE. 



It was the observation of a celebrated writer > 

 that no one should presume to offer an opinion up- 

 on an authors work without having first read his 

 preface , for it was impossible to form a correct 

 idea of it, without learning the object the author 

 had in view in its composition, what he intended, 

 and how far that intention had been fulfilled. 

 An observation particularly applicable to my own 

 case ; for the present volume having so far exceed- 

 ed the limits originally proposed, and having devi- 

 ated considerably from the plan first laid down, I 

 deem this the proper place to enter into some explan- 

 ation of the reasons that occasioned the change, and 

 also of the general intention of the present work. 



My first object was a popular sketch of the Cave 

 at Kirkdale, and of the interesting discoveries made 

 there, of which although some accounts had already 

 appeared before the public, yet they had been 

 presented in too expensive and elaborate a form to 

 be consulted by many persons who wished to avail 

 themselves of them. 



In this part of the work I have found myself 

 compelled to differ in opinion from great authori- 

 ties ; but I trust I have done so with that defe- 

 rence and respect which are due to them, consis- 

 tently with the main object we all have in view, 

 the elucidation of the truth. 



To this dissertation I was prevailed upon by the 

 kind encouragement of my friends to annex a 



