viii PREFACE. 



more minuteness of detail, and of greater freedom 

 in the choice and exhibition of facts. This alter- 

 atiorf in the structure of the work led to an exten- 

 sion of its limits; materials insensibly accumu- 

 lated; and that portion which was originally in- 

 tended to be comprised in a third or fourth part 

 of a single volume gradually swelled into two 

 volumes. 



It is probable that one of the first reflections 

 made by most readers of the following pages, will 

 be, that the plan is too extensive to be well exe- 

 cuted by any individual; and that it was peculiarly 

 presumptuous in one of comparatively small read- 

 ing, and who could not obtain access to ample 

 libraries, to undertake such a work. The author 

 feels the justness and weight of this reflection; and 

 is sensible that to present a full and satisfactory 

 view of any one of the departments embraced by 

 this Retrospect, would be a task beyond his 

 powers; would afford abundant employment, for 

 many years, to a mind much more mature, active, 

 and enlightened than his. Why then, it will be ask- 

 ed, did he adventure in so arduous an enterprize? 

 In answer to this question, he must ingenuously 

 confess, that he engaged without due considera- 

 tion, and did not begin suitably to estimate the 

 extent and difficulty of the task till he had pro- 

 ceeded too far to retract. He is also bound in 

 candour to declare, that his own instruction and 

 improvement were among his principal motives in 

 undeYtaking and prosecuting this work. Being per- 

 suaded that writing on a subject is one of the best 

 means of methodizing and correcting one's own 

 views of it; and hoping that, while he informed 

 himself, he might amuse, if not instruct others, 

 he submitted to the toil of collecting and arrang- 

 ing the materials which are here presented. If 



