274 



NOTE CONCLUSORY. 



RE-WRITTEN FOR THE SIXTH EDITION. 



THE original note conclusory stated that this work had been 

 composed in solitude, and with hardly the cognizance of a 

 single fellow-being, for the sole purpose (or as nearly so as 

 might be) of adding to the knowledge of mankind, judging 

 their happiness to be improveable through that medium. It 

 was published anonymously, and the author expected not ever 

 to respond to one word of approbation, or to parry or depre- 

 cate any adverse criticism. His name was likely to remain 

 in its original obscurity, and never to be generally known. 

 He also stated that he was prepared to find the book unsuc- 

 cessful in drawing attention, but that, with an author so cir- 

 cumstanced, this could excite no regret, except for the failure 

 of his wish to promote the public benefit by making an advance 

 towards a true view of the system of the world. 



I have now to refer to facts since emerged, that the work 

 attracted an unusual degree of attention, and met with much 

 opposition. On the first I have no remarks to make, except 

 that it is gratifying to find that the subject is safe from ever 

 falling into the oblivion which originally appeared its most 

 likely fate. On the second I have to observe that, if I could 

 have convinced myself that one-third of the objections to the 

 theory were just, I should unhesitatingly have abandoned it. 



