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 



