INTEODUCTION. XI. 



midway to the end — Tintil the ^* looking back " 

 becomes so filled with saddened memories, 

 that the *' looking forward" is alone left. 

 And so we turn our wistful eyes where they 

 might never have been directed, had the 

 prospect behind us been less dark. 



A few more words, and I close my pre- 

 liminary observations and commence my 

 subject. 1 cannot but be aware, from the 

 nature of the correspondence which has 

 flowed in upon me, that although far the 

 greater number of my readers have agreed 

 with me and entirely coincided in my views, 

 not a few have been found to cavil. Let not 

 such think that I am oblivious of their good 

 intentions because I remain unconvinced by 

 their arguments, and still prefer to maintain 

 my own opinions, which I have not ventured 

 to set forth without mature dehberation, and 

 the most substantial reasons for holding them 

 in fixity of tenure. I have spent some 



