SOLD BY J. PARKER, OXFORD; MESSRS. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S

CHURCH YARD; AND J. HATCHARD, PICCADILLY, LONDON,

PREFACE.

THE following Lectures having been un

dertaken under somewhat unusual circumstances, (which, however, it is not necessary here to describe,) the Author is unwilling- indeed, has too much respect for the public to submit them to general perusal without some explanation.

It has been observed, that "to read a great deal would be a sure preventive of "much writing; because almost every one "might find all he has to say already writ"ten." The Author feels the truth of this observation; and does not doubt, that had his own reading been extensive, this present volume would never have appeared. Why then, under this consciousness, did he venture upon such a work?

He answers, simply because of the possibility of doing good in a situation, in which, if any good may be done, the benefit may be general; while he thinks it

a 2