MR. DIXOFS PREFACE 



TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



(CONDENSED.) 



THE Prefaces to the First and Second edition of any 

 book are written under very different feelings and cir- 

 cumstances. In the one case, an author is on the eve 

 of submitting his labours to the tribunal of criticism, not 

 always good-natured or impartial ; in the other, he has 

 passed the ordeal, surviving the several cuts and burns 

 that may have been inflicted upon him ; that best cen- 

 sor of the press, the British Public, has stamped the ap- 

 proving Imprimatur upon his fly-leaf; he may then be 

 allowed to rejoice and congratulate himself, if he do but 

 cherish, as he ought, due gratitude to those who held out 

 a helping hand while the success of his venture was yet 

 uncertain; for he may at length calculate upon the 

 votes of those who wait to hear what opinion others shall 

 pronounce, as well as of those who have the courage and 

 intelligence to think for themselves. 



Exclusive of the fact that a large impression has 

 already been disposed of, this edition, it may be hoped, 

 will meet with a favourable reception from having been 

 carefully revised throughout, and enlarged with addi- 

 tional matter to the full extent that the space allowed 

 by the publisher would permit. The opportunity of at- 

 tending the great Birmingham Show of cattle, sheep, 

 swine, and poultry, at which the author had the honour 



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