Classicly

The author presents few claims to originality. In a few instances he has even adopted the language of others where it presented itself in a felicitous manner—his aim being to make a good book rather than to add to his own reputation.

It is but proper here to state that the work has passed through the press without the benefit of the author’s personal inspection—an affection of the eyes rendering this service impossible. But for this it might have received many retouches, which, if they did not add materially to its value, might have improved its appearance.