I AM very proud to learn that a new Edition of this collection is required: And, as books in three volumes are understood to sell better than books in four, I am also well pleased that it is to appear in this form.

The first suggestion was, that the retrenchment would be best made, by leaving out the dullest fourth of the original publication,-without any change in the size of the volumes: and the proposal appeared to me so reasonable, that I readily undertook to point out the necessary omissions. But I soon found that I had not sufficiently calculated on the natural weaknesses of an author. For, I had scarcely taken up the expurgatory pencil, till-patriæ cecidere manus! and I was forced to acknowledge that I had not Roman virtue enough, so to decimate the hapless issue of my brain. I was obliged therefore to throw myself upon the generosity of the Proprietors; who, with their wonted courtesy, at once consented to spare me this sacrifice; and to accomplish the requisite reduction, by such a multiplication of the pages in each volume, as has now enabled them to compress the whole contents of the former four into the present three.

Some old readers of the Review have assured me, that the selection, (which is now again submitted to the

public,) had been very injudiciously made; and several have even favoured me with hints for amending it, - in the event of such an opportunity arising as has now fortunately occurred. But I have not courage enough to avail myself of these suggestions: and feel that my most becoming as well as most prudent course is, to abide by the one appeal I have so recently made to the public and to await the sequel of that judgment which admits of no ultimate question, and has hitherto been so much more favourable to me than I had any reason to expect.

Craigcrook, Sept. 1846.

F. J.

PREFACE.

No reasonable man, I suppose, could contemplate without alarm, a project for reprinting, with his name, a long series of miscellaneous papers-written hastily, in the intervals of graver occupations, and published anonymously, during the long course of Forty preceding years!—especially if, before such a suggestion was made, he had come to be placed in a Situation which made any recurrence to past indiscretions, or rash judgments, peculiarly unbecoming. I expect therefore to be very readily believed, when I say that the project of this publication did not originate, and never would have originated with me: And that I have been induced to consent to it, only after great hesitation ; and not without misgivings — which have not yet been entirely got over. The true account of the matter is this.

The papers in question are the lawful property, and substantially at the disposal, of the publishers of the Edinburgh Review: And they, having conceived an opinion that such a publication would be for their advantage, expressed a strong desire that I should allow it to go out with the sanction of my name, and the benefit of such suggestions as I might be disposed to offer for its improvement: and having, in the end, most liberally agreed that I should have the sole power both

of determining to what extent it should be carried, and also of selecting the materials of which it should be composed, I was at last persuaded to agree to the proposition and this the more readily, in consequence of intimation having been received of a similar publication being in contemplation in the United States of America; -over which, of course, I could not, under any arrangements, expect to exercise the same efficient controul.

With all this however, I still feel that I am exposed to the imputation, not only of great presumption, in supposing that any of these old things could be worth reprinting, but of a more serious Impropriety, in thus openly acknowledging, and giving a voluntary sanction to the republication (of some at least) of the following pieces: And I am far from being sure that there may not be just grounds for such an imputation. In palliation of the offence, however- if such offence shall be taken - I would beg leave humbly to state, First, that what I now venture to reprint, is but a small part -less I believe than a third, of what I actually contributed to the Review; and, Secondly, that I have honestly endeavoured to select from that great mass-not those articles which I might think most likely still to attract notice, by boldness of view, severity of remark, or vivacity of expression — but those, much rather, which, by enforcing what appeared to me just principles and useful opinions, I really thought had a tendency to make men happier and better.

I am quite aware of the arrogance which may be ascribed to this statement and even of the ridicule which may attach to it. Nevertheless, it is the only apology which I now wish to make-or could seriously think of making, for the present publication: And if it should be thought utterly to fail me, I shall certainly feel that I have been betrayed into an act, not of im