PREFACE ix 



to those mental disorders peevishness and discontent 

 which distract the mind, and increase the evils of life, 

 without even the chance of either removing or lightening 

 them. Cheerfulness and good humour are the harbingers 

 of virtue, and produce that serenity which disposes the 

 mind to friendship, love, gratitude, and every other 

 social affection. They make us contented with ourselves, 

 our friends, and our situation, and expand the heart to 

 all the interests of humanity. It is in this spirit, then, 

 that I have written, as others more worthy of the task 

 have done before me in that of Lucretius, indeed, when 

 he penned the following lines : 



"Sed veluti pneria absinthia tetra medentes 

 Cum dare conantur, prius eras pocula circum 

 Contingunt mellis dulci flavoque liquore." 



NIMROD. 

 Ju, e 24th, 1842. 



