312 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



excuse for any unwarrantable liberty taken with his 

 name), to quote him as a bright example of the satis- 

 faction to be derived from the performance of such a 

 duty as that of residence upon his own property. 



In an author's task, according to Lord Byron, there 

 is nothing so difficult as the beginning ; '^ except, per- 

 ha})S5 the end." The noble poet might have written 

 less doubtingly. '^ Finis coronat opus," is one of those 

 wise saws, fully supported by modern instances. It is 

 that which makes the lover pause, " ere he set his seal 

 upon his sheet ;" the orator hnger, before he pronounce 

 the last deduction from his premises. Though less 

 vividly influenced, I am free to say, that it is not without 

 solicitude I part with this volume, to me, in every sense, 

 a work of affection. I commenced it solely from an 

 interest in the subject of which it treats : every line I 

 traced, while it was in progress, seemed to bring me 

 nearer the goal I sought ; and now, that my pen is upon 

 its final paragraph, I confess it is with almost a painful 

 anxiety I feel it is about to enter upon its office. I 

 know it has many faults — I trust it may not be entirely 



