VI PREFACE. 



be considered as overweening vanity if a writer 

 places himself in such category, particularly 

 if, as in the present case, he does not even 

 consider that he has become ^^ wise," but merely 

 to a certain extent, " aufaiV^ as regards par- 

 ticular subjects. There are, no doubt, many 

 who would hold those on which this publication 

 treats as beneath their notice ; if so, the title 

 will show of what subjects it consists — they can 

 at once close the book; but it is lucky for 

 authors that de gustihus non est disputandum, 

 otherwise it is only those of a particular class 

 who could live. But fortunately tastes differ ; 

 thus authors of minor grade, if they do not 

 what I should term live, do contrive to keep 

 body and soul together ; for which they are in 

 no way indebted to the exclusiveness of a class, 

 but to the more enlarged views and liberality of 

 those to whom I have ventured my Dedication. 



