PREFACE. IT has been the desire of the author, in writing this volume, that every line may contribute to advance the cause of virtue, literature, or humanity. He can say, in the words of Bacon, that, to his understanding, he finds nothing in it contrary, or infectious to the state of religion, or manners; but rather, as he supposes, medicinable. If such be its character, he believes it will be read with that lenity of criticism with which the public is disposed to receive the first production of an author. BALTIMORE, October 1st, 1842. |