PREFACE xi 



afterwards I learned it, more fully, from the foun- 

 tain head, the " Discours de la Methode"; then 

 from Berkeley and from Hume themselves. So 

 that when, in 1878, my friend Mr. John Morley 

 asked me to write an account of Hume for the 

 "English Men of Letters" series, I thought I 

 might undertake the business, without too much 

 presumption; also, with some hope of passing on 

 to others the benefits which I had received from 

 the study of Hume's works. And, however imper- 

 fect the attempt may be, I have reason to be- 

 lieve that it; has fulfilled its purpose. I hoped, at 

 one time, to be able to add an analogous exposi- 

 tion of Berkeley's views; and, indeed, undertook 

 to supply it. But the burdens and distractions 

 of a busy life led to the postponement of this, 

 as of many other projects, till too late. My state- 

 ment of Hume's philosophy will have to be 

 provided with its counterpart and antithesis by 

 other hands. But I have appended to the " Hume " 

 a couple of preliminary studies, which may be of 

 use to students of Berkeley. 



One word, by way of parting advice to the ris- 

 ing generation of English readers. If it is your 

 desire to discourse fluently and learnedly about 

 philosophical questions, begin with the lonians and 

 work steadily through to the latest new specula- 

 tive treatise. If you have a good memory and a 

 fair knowledge of Greek, Latin, French, and Ger- 



