INTRODUCTION. 1 1 



read ; with the ornaments goes also the estimation in which 

 the matter is held, and is wholly, or for the most part, lost. 

 The author has, therefore, to dread, especially when he 

 speaks of relations of form, in which the best description 

 can never represent the appearance, that his reader will be 

 wearied, when he could easily keep up a lively interest in his 

 hearers and spectators. 



To obviate this difficulty, it became necessary to bring 

 at least some little aid to the reader, in the shape of pic- 

 torial illustration. But, since I could not aim at costly 

 copper-plates, which would have defeated the purpose in 

 view, I was compelled to restrict myself a little more 

 to assist the fancy of the reader with sketches and make a 

 demand upon his imaginative faculties. Thus originated 

 the pictures which have been determined on as illustrations 

 to these Lectures, regarding which I have but a few words 

 to say. They relate, in every instance, to the contents 

 of the Lectures in which they are found and for the most 

 part are amply described there. The title vignettes are 

 explained by some remarks upon the foot of the title itself; 

 to some, explanation is unnecessary. May then the garb 

 be gay enough to hide the faults and weaknesses of the 

 matter, or at least to render them less evident ; in short, 

 may these really unpretending thoughts find indulgent and 

 friendly readers. 



