XV111 PREFACE. 



uttered at the time. Yet he believes that, upon an accurate examination, 

 such discrepancies will be found but few, and of no importance. 



The INSTITUTION has had its day, but it set in glory, and had the satis- 

 faction of reaping its own reward. Its proprietary shares, like those of 

 every other literary institution in this metropolis, were soon found to have 

 been fixed at too low a price. And, a difficulty having been experienced 

 in obtaining the consent of every proprietor to an adequate additional sub- 

 scription, it was wisely resolved, almost from the first, to make a yearly 

 encroachment upon the capital, and to maintain the Institution at its zenith 

 of vigour and activity till the whole of such capital should be expended, 

 rather than to let it live through a feeble and inefficient existence, though 

 for a longer period of time, by limiting it to the narrow scale of its annual 

 income alone. 



To the crowded and persevering audience by which, from year to year, 

 the author had the gratification of being surrounded, many of whom 

 are yet within the circle of his acquaintance and friendship, he still looks 

 back with gratitude ; and can never forget the ardour and punctuality of 

 their attendance. It is a lively recollection, indeed, of the manner in which 

 his labours were received, when delivered, that chiefly induces him to hope 

 for a favourable reception of them in their present form. 



The progress of time, and the mental activity with which it has been 

 followed up, have strikingly confirmed various hints and opinions which 

 he ventured to suggest as he proceeded, and have introduced a few novel- 

 ties into one or two branches of science since the period referred to ; but the 

 interval which has hereby occurred has enabled the author to keep pace 

 with the general march of the day, and to pay due attention to such doc- 

 trines or discoveries in their respective positions of time and place. 



