Dedicatory Epistle vii 



may not greatly interest the general reader, but 

 you and I feel interested in preventing any mis- 

 conception in the present case ; and it was thus 

 that the careless remark of the friendly reviewer 

 led me to insert in the present volume the short- 

 hand report of gome autobiographical remarks on 

 the infancy theory. In reading the proof-sheets I 

 have noticed that the book contains elsewhere many 

 allusions to personal experiences. This feature, 

 which was quite unforeseen, will not fail to com- 

 mend it all the more strongly to you, my ancient 

 friend and comrade. As for readers in general, I 

 may best conclude in the words of old Aaron Rath- 

 bone, whose book entitled " The Surveyor " was 

 dated " from my lodging at the house of M. Roger 

 Bvrgis, against Salisburie-house-gate, in the Strand, 

 this sixt of Nouember, 1616." This wise and placid 

 philosopher saith : " To perswade the courteous were 

 causelesse, for they are naturally kind ; and to 

 diswade the captious were bootless, for they will 

 not be diverted. Let the first make true vse of 

 these my labours, and they shall find pleasure and 

 profit therein ; let the last (if they like not) leave 

 it, and it shall not offend them." 



Wherefore let me, without further ado, subscribe 

 myself, Ever yours, 



JOHN FISKE. 

 CAMBRIDGE, October 25, 1899. 



