XU 
My avowed object is to give plain 
and simple instructions and direc- 
tions upon the growth and culture 
of the Auricula ; and in doing this I 
fear I shall now and then be guilty 
of a solecism, misapply an epithet, 
and offend against the rules of Dr. 
Syntax, but I hope nevertheless that 
I shall receive that learned gentle- 
man's pardon. 
As for your very severe critics 
upon language, and your common- 
place cavillers about words, I judge 
it best not to trouble and alarm my- 
self too much about them ; but I am 
bold enough to challenge all criticism 
upon my system of growing the Au- 
ricula — for to prove it will be to ap- 
prove.^ — Yet I cannot help wishing, 
that I had the requisite ability to 
produce my Treatise as well written, 
to meet and please these critics, as I 
