PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. 
As my name appears on the title-page of this volume, it is 
necessary that I should exactly state what part I had in its 
preparation. I had no doubt originally engaged to undertake 
the work myself; but finding, from multiplicity of engagements 
and my uncertain health, that I could not accomplish it satis- 
factorily, I thought the best course I could take was to recom- 
mend Mr. Cooke to the publishers; a gentleman well known, 
not only in this country, but in the United States. The whole 
of the work has therefore been prepared by himself, the manu- 
script and proof sheets being submitted to me from time to 
time, in which I merely suggested such additions as seemed 
needful, subjoining occasionally a few notes. As the work is 
intended for students, the author has had no hesitation in 
