iv 



PREFACE. 



As the lectures were delivered from general recollection, 

 though with the author's manuscript at hand, it is possible that 

 those who took notes may find a few passages in the present text 

 slightly varied from what was uttered at the time. Yet he believes 

 that, upon an accurate examination, such discrepancies will be 

 found but few, and of no importance. 



The Institution has had its day, but it set in glory, and had 

 the satisfaction of reaping its own reward. Its proprietary 

 shares, like those of every other literary institution in this metro- 

 polis, were soon found to have been fixed at too low a price. 

 And, a difficulty having been experienced in obtaining the con- 

 sent of every proprietor to an adequate additional subscription, 

 it was wisely resolved, almost from the first, to make a yearly en- 

 croachment upon the capital, and to maintain the Institution at 

 its zenith of vigour and activity till the whole of such capital 

 should be expended, rather than to let it live through a feeble and 

 inefficient existence, though for a longer period of time, by limit- 

 ing it to the narrow scale of its annual income alone. 



To the crowded and persevering audience by which, from year 

 to year, the author had the gratification of being surrounded? 

 many of whom are yet within the circle of his acquaintance and 

 iriendship, he still looks back with gratitude ; and can never for- 

 get the ardour and punctuality of their attendance. It is a lively 

 recollection, indeed, of the manner in which his labours were 

 received, when delivered, that chiefiy induces him to hope for a 

 favourable reception of them in their present form. 



The progress of time, and the mental activity with which it 

 has been followed up, have strikingly confirmed various hints and 

 opinions which he ventured to suggest as he proceeded, and have 

 introduced a few novelties into one or two branches of science 

 since the period referred to ; but the interval which has hereby 

 occurred has enabled the author to keep pace with the general 

 march of the day, and to pay due attention to such doctrines or 

 discoveries in their respective positions of time and place. 



