mount the works; cannot he do it by the help of his friends ?" I have no claims or pretensions, of course, to any thing extraordinary in what I have thus arranged for you. Neither have I been able, perhaps, to mould what I have gathered into striking forms; or to give them that relief, whence alone gratification can arise. I am not, however, an ungrateful pilferer: on the contrary, I acknowledge my debts; and were it within the reach of my ability, would gladly repay, with interest, into the common stock of learning, the sums that I have borrowed. critic of no common eminence, has had the liberality to say, that he who collects is laudably employed; for though he exerts no great talents in the work, he facilitates the progress of others; and, by making that easy of attainment which is already written, may give some mind, more vigorous or more adventu rous than his own, leisure for new thoughts and original designs." A The professed author is to let in new light upon the mind; to open new scenes; or to vary the dress and situation of common objects, * Dr. Johnson. jects, so as to give them fresh grace and more powerful attractions; to spread such flowers over the regions in which the intellect has already. made some progress, as may tempt it to return, and to take a second view of things hastily passed over, or negligently regarded. But in all this much may not be his own. The most ponderous volumes might possibly be reduced to meagre shreds, were every thing scrupulously returned to its original proprietor. The strongest genius not unfrequently finds it indispensably necessary to pursue the tract of others, though he declines servilely treading in their footsteps. And now, farewell. The attention I have endeavoured to give to my different authorities, will, besides the obvious advantage of authenticity, prevent those who may be entitled to it, from being deprived of the fair fame of their labours. To them I honestly acknowledge my obligations. They have supported me throughout. And I frankly confess, that, had it not been for them, I should long ago have relinquished, what would have been too much. for my own unaided abilities. |
