ture, and from whatever source they proceeded which could make him for a season, almost despair of ever being able to bring his task to a completion; —and, to express himself, in the manner, he has repeated, at the conclusion of his XLVI. chapter-as being afraid, that these, his "LATTER STRUGGLES, would, in the end, turn out DEADLY CONFLICTS!"

Under such circumstances, it is too evident, that all present pretensions to accuracy must be laid aside, and, from the extreme severity and hardship in a case, where the business had become so exceedingly pressing, as to admit of no delay, even had not the precariousness of my, health, and other considerations, impelled me forward to the completion of my object, with a rapidity which still astonishes myself, at a time when I was so ill able to bear any violent exertion of the kind -I must just trust,-that the extent of my misfortunes,—and a situation so unfavourable to such exertions, as that in which I have been recently placed-will plead at once powerfully and efficaciously for me.

But, however favourable to me the verdict of the public may be, from these considerations, I am too well convinced, from the exalted ideas I have been led to cherish, in course of my pilgrimage, of the infinitude and variety manifested in the works of the DEITY, that men's minds are as various, and as diversified, as their faces,—that it would be absolutely impossible for all my readers to think alike on some points :-this would be expecting too much from human nature, as at present constituted,—and ill in accordance with, the sage maxim, which we see so often verified, viz "That he who attempts, or expects,-to please everybody,—will please nobody."

But the fact is, I look for, and expect, no such thing;-and while, I trust, I have endeavoured to give satisfaction to all, so far as in my power, and I could do so, without any compromise of principle, I shall feel contented, and much gratified, to find, that, although I have not been fortunate enough to please all, I have nevertheless, given satisfaction to the greater part of my readers;-and, in order, if possible, to make that greater part still the greater, instead of finding fault with, and being disposed to quarrel with the others, I shall endeavour to anticipate sundry objections, which some of them, according to their various turns of thinking, may possibly offer,-and do the best I can, in order to obviate them as I go along in the hopes that, what may have appeared, when viewed separately, or hastily, as defects or blemishes in the superstructure,-may, when looked upon more considerately, and only as part of that superstructure, will, with a little explanation,-turn out to be some of its best characteristics, and greatest excel

lencies.

In the first place, then, one description of my readers may object to the extreme simplicity of the manner in which I have gone to work, and handled my subject the sameness of the incidents-the common-place nature of my details —and the consequent want of extraordinary adventure, and out-of-the-way des criptions. But, such a remark as this, is the best compliment that could have been paid me as in the case of the answer of the carter, to the architect, who came up, and put the question to him, just as he was entering upon Musselburgh Bridge" Well, my friend, what do you think of this bridge ?". "'Deed, Sir, it no deserves the name of a brig-it's just like the king's hee way." The carter could not assuredly have paid the stranger, (who, it appears, turned out to be the builder of the bridge himself,) a greater compliment than he did, at that time, although unconsciously ;-and, in a work professing, as mine does, to be a faithful delineation of the events of a certain portion of real-not fictitious——— LIFE, a strict adherence to facts, and incidents, however homely and common

some of them may appear, is, undoubtedly, the most prudent course that could have been adopted by the author; and, instead of a defect, will, it is hoped, upon second thoughts, be found, to be one of its best recommendations.

A second, may be disposed to object, not so much to the plain, straight-forward way I have gone to work, in this respect, in taking facts as they came in my way, and endeavouring to make the best of them, as, to that particular portion of my TIME, to which, I have chiefly confined myself, and which must necessarily have occasioned, that great preponderance of the rough and gloomy, over the more pleasant and sunny scenes of life. But this, alas! as I have taken occasion to express myself at page 400 of the work itself, was not my fault ;-and what else, I may ask, in this place, could be expected from a volume, assuming, and assuming with such apparent good reason, the full-of-meaning appellation of "LATTER STRUGGLES," and embracing, as it does, so melancholy a portion of my days.

To remedy this, in some measure, it will be seen, that I have gone back, in my introductory chapters, to a few incidents of a more exhilarating nature, than those which will be found to occupy the greater part of these last fifteen years of my life; independently, of my not having passed over, without noticing, a number of incidents and little matters in due course of my narrative, which, but for the sake of variety, and lightening the subject a little, I would not perhaps have dwelt on so largely, or, indeed, have noticed at all.

But here, a third party may object, that the cure I have adopted is worse than the disease;-for, that, by introducing so many stories bordering upon the mar• vellous, I must certainly have destroyed much of the simplicity of my narrative,have converted it into a medium of engendering anew, formerly exploded superstitious notions and of fostering, the most absurd and delusive ideas ;—while, in allusion to a number of little incidents, of a more ordinary nature, he may, at once roundly assert, that such trifling matters, were not worth the mentioning.

These may appear grave charges, at first sight, let us examine them. There is no part of my task, I believe, more liable to the first objection, than those passages which relate to Sandy Ferguson's fright, in the lonely glen betwixt Auchindown and Glass-my own Ghost story in the inn at Dalwhinnieand the strange-looking figure which I encountered on the blasted heath, near to the place, where, according to Shakspeare, Macbeth and Banquo met the witches!But, then, let it be observed, in the first place, that, I did not go out of my way in any one instance, in quest of these strange matters-and, secondly, the use I made of the several occurrences when I had so met with them.

Was it really to engender and revive a spirit of superstition ?—or, was it not, rather, to embrace the several opportunities such occurrences afforded me, to produce a quite opposite, or contrary effect—and to endeavour, by the best explanation in my power, to root out and remove that relic of times gone by, as see in pages 191, 196 and 225, &c. where these circumstances are severally noticed. Even in the case of my memorable dream, although it puzzled me at the time, -and still puzzles me to account for fully, on the principles of those who would trace all matters of the kind, with their several ramifications, to the busy workings of a disordered imagination, on past impressions and recent occurrences, it will be found, I have endeavoured to account, as in page 378, for, as much of it as I possibly could, upon the above principles, according to the extent of my own perceptive faculties ;-and, after putting others in possession of a detail of the facts, in order to enable them to judge for themselves, leaving it to them, in the exercise of their own ingenuity and skill, to account for the remainder, for more

mysterious part, as they may please,or, in the best way they can ;-without any, the smallest, attempt on my part, to dogmatize either one way or other :

Although I certainly hold, that, I would be no less inexcusable, to deny that these mysterious facts did take place, with the benign consequences which followed, merely because I did not, and cannot, comprehend how such strange impressions were produced, as if I were to deny that the human body which I carry about with me, received nourishment froin, and had increased in growth as I grew up by, that food, which, after being taken in at the mouth, had passed into the stomach-merely because, with my limited faculties, I cannot account for, the manner in which the assimilating process is afterwards carried on,-by which, a portion of these heterogeneous elements, become "bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh !"

And, although I am not able to explain the hidden causes of delirium, and the nature of the mysterious springs which produce those strange effects of con.. juring up imaginary spectres, and making them stalk, or stand before us, in all the appearance of reality, at the solemn hour of midnight, as I so fully experienced in the instance described in page 376, &c. still it will be seen that I have traced, or have endeavoured to trace, these matters to a beneficent origin, by whatever cause, manner, or means,-they are effected.

And in regard to those, little trifling incidents, not worth the mentioning, as it may have been said, did it never strike the objector, that, for some particular reason, or reasons, these, to him, little matters, might, at the time they happened, have been deemed as of some importance to me.. -In short, may they not still be considered in the light of some of those notched trees described in the note at page 176, or, as so many indexes, or barometers, to shew the pressure of the Hygeian atmosphere, at particular times; which, however uninteresting they may be to some of my readers,—it is still of some consequence for me to recollect.

Others of my readers, may be disposed to find fault with my having introduced too many flowers in my path-too many encomiums upon myself and my writings-too much matter, bearing the mark of vindication and apology;—but, in regard to the first, he, certainly, who formed the second objection in my string, could never have considered this in the light of a defect; and, sure enough, all the flowers, and sweet and fragrant many of them were, must now appear to be all few enough, to give sufficient relief to this part of my scene, darkened as it has been, by so many procrastinated and painful conflicts.

With regard to the numerous encomiums I have inserted, I trust this will be excused, for the same reason—and will, with every thing in the shape of vindication and apology, be placed to the credit of the true and operating motive, viz. that as, by the confession of my correspondent, who wrote one of the letters alluded to in page 166, at the time my great misfortune-(and which has since led to so many misfortunes)-took place in 1816,-MY NAME then, STOOD HIGH IN THE COMMERCIAL WORLD-it might appear, that, however unfortunate I have been since, I have done nothing to forfeit it-and that, in other matters in which I have been engaged, MY NAME STANDS HIGH still.

There are others again, who, from having met with a disappointment in their early affections, or, whatever cause, have not had an opportunity of experiencing the benefits, and tasting the sweets and solaces of female society, in such a manher as to enable them to form a true estimate of the matchless value, and inestimable worth of the virtuous part of that interesting portion of our species,-and so may be disposed to object to my having gone too far, and been too lavish, as they may be pleased to style it, in my praises of the female sex, in devoting (as

I most assuredly have done in my xxxix.) a whole chapter to their service.➡ While, of those truant school-boys, whose backs may have oftener smarted under the inflictions of the rod, than their hearts warmed in gratitude for the unspeakable advantages of early tuition,—and of these cool, calculating mortals, who never evidenced any great fellow feeling for those of their own calling and profession-some may be disposed to find fault with me for having said so much as I have done in pages 101 and 102, in favour of that meritorious and deserving class of men-who were the guides of our youth, as an old correspondent styles them, "while toiling in the paths of classic lore,"

and others, for having evidenced such decided partiality towards my old brethren of the book trade. But, in regard to the first, I must claim the privilege of being allowed, to think as I feel from my own experience, and to speak as I think, -and if, the many obligations I lie under to the second and the warm feeling with which I must ever, in the language of Goldsmith," fondly turn" to my old brethren of the bookselling profession,-have induced me to take up a larger portion of my volume, than these gentlemen may have thought I was warranted to do I trust they will now excuse me, for these very forcible reasons,

Others, again, who feel themselves no way interested in these things, may object to my having taken up so much of my room by a description of my numerous and various AUCTION ROUTES—and the minute details, therein given, as to the dates when, and the places where, the different sales took place. To obviate this objection as much as possible, upon finding that a progressive account of these sales became a necessary characteristic in the composition of my volume, although they might not be equally interesting to all of my readers, I formed the resolution, to throw them, or the most of them, into a smaller letter, and at the bottom of the pages, by way of notes, where those, who did not wish to read them, might very conveniently pass them over-while, in the mere taking them on record, I knew that I was furnishing a very pleasant treat to others, who, from being purchasers at these sales, or other associations connected with them, might be anxious to know at what time they took place, in their respective localities, and quarters of the country; and what quarter of the country, it may be asked, after consulting these short, but comprehensive lists, so far as the Scottish auction license extends-has been exempted from a call of one or other of these visitants?

There are some, again, I am aware, who may take offence, at the number of devout expressions that may appear in my work-and others, who may express their dissatisfaction at what they may call my want of good taste, in making so frequent allusion, to, and in quoting so largely from, Scripture. But, let the former remember, that, in several of my publications, I have given evidence, that I had, at least, a taste for ASTRONOMY ;—and what says the poet ?—“ DEVOTION! daughter of ASTRONOMY!--An undevout astronomer is MAD.'

And, in regard to the other part of the accusation, of evincing, by these Scriptural allusions and quotations, a want of good taste I must certainly deny the consequence; for I think it is rather a mark or characteristic of a want of good taste, in a Christian country-or, more properly speaking, in a member of a Christian community, if he is sincere in his profession, and not ashamed of the doctrines of that religion, which he affects to believe-not to quote freely, and as occasion requires, provided he does so with becoming reverence, from what he should consider as his principal text-book ;-however lavish he may be otherwise, in his references to, and quotations from, the authorities of Greece and Romeof which, it is presumed there will be found no want also, in these pages.

Bad taste, indeed!-Let us hear what the deep thinking, and acute reasoning,

CowPER says, who, it may be supposed, was a very competent judge in the matter having no reason to doubt his sincerity as a Christian,—and as little to suspect, from the evidence he has given in his translation of Homer, that he was an accomplished classical scholar :

"IS CHRIST the abler teacher, or the schools?

If CHRIST, then why resort, at every turn,

To Athens, or to Rome, for wisdom short

Of men's occasions ?"

Let classical scholars, therefore, professing Christianity, prove themselves to be, in reality, classical Christians,—and while they use all manner of freedom, in quoting from their favourite-" Plato-Epictetus-or it may be Tully,"—give evidence to the world, that when occasion requires, they think it no disparage. ment to take a text or two, from the books of the OLD or NEW TESTAMENT.

There is one remark, I beg here to make, as it will come very appropriately in at this place, viz. that, whatever objections may be started by one description of my readers, on account of what he may be pleased to style a superabundance of devout expressions, and Scriptural allusions and quotations ;-and, however defective it may appear to be in the eyes of others, by not coming exactly up to the standard of my Popular Philosophy, in that particular in which a certain modern traveller describes it, when he says, that in every place into which he had looked, “I have always found something to interest and instruct me,” (as see concluding testimonial at the end of this volume,)-1 trust there will be found, in every chapter,—if not in every page,—something to interest and instruct my juvenile readers and not a word, in the whole compass of my work, from which, they need apprehend the smallest danger to their morals-and which, on that account, I had reason to wish I had not written-or, written, that I had blotted out! Some of my readers, I am also aware, may not be so well satisfied with the ob scurity they may observe in some parts-and the studied silence that, from first to last, I have observed in regard to those matters which I have denominated "the veiled subjects"-but, I shall allow the reasoning of Daniel Defoe, formerly quoted, to plead my excuse for the former,—and, in regard to the latter, my best apology, will be found, in the note at the foot of page 297.

There are others again, who may think, that I have been too explicit and plain in many of my statements-too candid and open in several of my disclosures, both for my own sake, as going to affect my future usefulness and respectability in the world-and for the sake of others, who may suffer themselves to be the more easily led into embarrassments, by the repeated displays of leniency and generous treatment I had so uniformly experienced-to the great injury, it may be said, and prejudice, of the commercial part of the community. In anwer to the rst of these, I would say, that in a case like mine, where there is so little to be ashamed of-there is nothing to conceal-and if an occasional relation occurs, that seems to place my prudence in rather a dubious light, and to lead it to be called in question, I shall, at least, have the satisfaction to reflect, that the more the matter is enquired into,-after making every proper allowance for the way in which I was circumstanced at the time-the error will be found to proceed, more from the head than the heart,-and so as, my integrity must still remain unsullied, however, the decision may go to affect my judgment.

In regard to my free and open disclosures, affecting my future usefulness and respectability-I must say that I am quite aware, that the poor man's wisdom, which, in the days of Solomon, saved the city, would have been more highly thought of, if he had been considered as rich and, that, in more modern times, in