PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. THE history of this little Work may be briefly given. Mr Campbell, shortly after his return from Africa, was desirous to publish in his native city, short notes of such scenes and incidents in his travels as tended to illustrate particular passages of Scripture. The manuscript was accordingly sent to the Rev. William Innes, with permission, as will be seen from the following characteristic extract from the letter which accompanied it, to make alterations, if necessary, before publication : "The manuscript is sent for your inspection. It has cost me a deal of labour; but so did the pyramids of Egypt and the tower of Babel; and what was the use of them after they were finished? Should you think that, with a little culling, they might suit the Scotch taste, you are at perfect liberty to prune as you please, for I had not taste in view while writing, but, as far as I was able, to throw light on some passages of Scripture. At the same time, I confess I aimed at excluding heaviness, and making it as entertaining to the reader as I could, to make it palatable to the young as well as the old. It is all original-nothing stolen from other writers,-so that I alone am responsible for all its contents." Mr Innes found little to alter, as his correspondent had written in his happiest style, and with special reference to the instruction of the young, a class whose sympathies Mr Campbell, from long experience in the editorship of a juvenile periodical, was peculiarly qualified to interest. A new edition being called for, the Publisher has availed himself of the opportunity to introduce a Biographical Sketch of the Author,—an addition which will not probably be deemed the less valuable, that this devoted servant of the Lord has now entered on his reward. The Indices have also been re-arranged, and will be found to faciliate more easy reference to the volume. EDINBURGH, March 1842. |