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want of more just and enlarged views, the author fears he has often written in a crude and unsatisfactory manner on topics which, in the same compass, might have been better discussed. In some instances, however, he has failed of giving a more satisfactory account of the additions made to science, by distinguished individuals, from another cause: Where it would have been impossible to state the precise limits of what each has done to advance our knowledge of a particular subject, without going into a discussion of many pages, little more is frequently attempted than to give a list of the names of those individuals, on the presumption that the inquisitive reader will seek for a more full account of their respective claims elsewhere.

It will not be supposed that the author has attentively read all the works concerning which he delivers opinions. Some of them he never saw, and has ventured to give their character entirely on the authority of those whom he considers better judges than himself. Many he has seen and consulted, with more or less attention, as his avocations allowed. It is only a small part which he can claim the honour of having read and studied with

It is probable, however, that he might have spared himself the trouble of making this confession; symptoms of superficial reading, or of striking unacquaintance with many works of which he speaks, will, no doubt, be often discovered.

In enumerating the principal writers on the various subjects reviewed, it will be observed that those who have written in the English language engage the largest share of the author's attention. The reason of this is obvious; he is best acquainted with such writers; and from his ig

norance of most of the languages of the continent of Europe, he has probably failed of mentioning many works quite as worthy of respectful notice as others on which he has bestowed high praise. Perhaps a still more formal apology will be deemed necessary for the disposition to introduce American writers and publications, even of moderate character, which he has so frequently discovered. But besides indulging a natural partiality for his own country, which is at least pardonable, he was desirous of collecting and exhibiting as much information on the subject of American literature as the nature of his undertaking admitted. And as no attempt to give a general historical view of this subject has ever been before made; as a considerable portion even of the humble and meagre records from which he has drawn his materials, are daily perishing; and as peculiar circumstances sometimes give to literary characters and events a relative importance, beyond their absolute value, he thought it advisable to take notice of more obscure names, and of smaller publications; than could with propriety have been mentioned in countries of a more mature literary character. Perhaps, however, in his zeal to collect every thing he could find on this subject, he has sometimes descended too low.

Should any reader be offended by the language of panegyric which is frequently bestowed on the intellectual and scientific endowments of some distinguished abettors of heresy or of infidelity, he is entreated to remember that justice is due to all men. A man who is a bad Christian may be a very excellent mathematician, astronomer, or chemist; and one who denies and blasphemes the Saviour may write profoundly and instructively on some branches of science highly interesting to

mankind. It is proper to commiserate the mistakes of such persons, to abhor their blasphemy, and to warn men against their fatal delusions; but it is surely difficult to see either the justice or utility of withholding from them that praise of genius or of learning to which they are fairly entitled.

It will probably be remarked, by the intelligent reader, that a due proportion between the parts of this work, according to the relative importance and extent of each subject, is not always preserved. Had the manuscript been completed before any part of it was sent to the press, faults of this kind would, no doubt, have been, in some degree, avoided; but the truth is, that the first pages of the manuscript were put into the hands of the printer before a single chapter of the work had been fully written; and each successive sheet was prepared, from the materials previously collected, at the call of the printer, and amidst the hurry of incessant professional labours. It is scarcely necessary to add, that this race with the press frequently rendered impossible that laborious investigation, and that careful correction which were highly desirable: nor could the author excuse himself for conduct so manifestly indiscreet, had he duly considered beforehand the nature and magnitude of the engagement. But it must be acknowledged, that as he entered on the work without duly appreciating the arduousness of his undertaking, so every step in the pursuit convinced him more and more of its extent and difficulty; that in the prosecution of his task he wished an hundred times he had never undertaken it; and that now it is brought to a close, few readers can be more sensible than he is himself of its numerous and great defects.

It will be observed, that three parts of the original plan yet remain to be executed. Whether the execution of the whole will be attempted depends, in some measure, on the reception which shall be given to this First Part. The author is particularly desirous of completing the fourth and last division; viz. that which relates to the Literature, Science, Revolutions, and principal Events of the Christian Church during the last age; and even if he should be compelled to abandon the two intermediate divisions, he cherishes the hope of being able, if his life should be spared, to lay something before the public on this favourite subject.

The reader is particularly requested not to overlook the Additional Notes. They will be found to supply some of the deficiencies, and to correct some of the errors with which the body of the work abounds. About an eighth or tenth part of these notes are derived from the remarks of friends. It was at first intended to make a particular acknowledgment to every individual who had furnished any thing of this kind; but, for cogent reasons, a general acknowledgment was afterwards thought preferable.

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