XXV111 PREFACE. 



of a general nature, the author has yet 

 permitted to remain; as well as on the 

 obvious predilection in giving the illustra- 

 tion of precept from a species of game, 

 with which the great majority of readers 

 are little, if at all, acquainted. It may be 

 proper to do this, not from any apprehen- 

 sion that the skilful sportsman will any 

 where be at a loss to make a transfer of 

 the idea intended to be conveyed, but for 

 the sake of bringing the reader more com- 

 pletely acquainted with the author's views. 

 It was not merely on account of the per- 

 sonal application to the friend to whom 

 the letters were addressed, but it was by 

 choice that the scene was originally laid in 

 Scotland. Considering himself as pledged 

 to give the outlines of a perfect education, 

 he has claimed the privilege of doing this 

 in a situation, where certain great princi- 

 ples are most directly and eminently attain- 

 able. On this head, it may be satisfactory 

 to hear the author in his own words. I 

 extract the following, therefore, from an 

 unfinished chapter, apparently designed 

 as a concluding review of the main points 



