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Summary

The Editor feels that he owes to many friends, who have taken a kind interest in the publication of this work, an apology, for the delay of several years since he first announced his intention of preparing it for the press. He can assure them, that the delay has not been owing to indifference or supineness on his part. When he first undertook the task, he imagined, that, after he should have collected his materials from different sources, it would be easy to form them into a volume, which should combine the suggestions of various surviving friends of his Grandfather, and secure their general approbation: but he soon discovered, that he was indulging the vain expectation of an unpractised author; and that a multiplicity of advisers rather tended to perplex, than to guide an inexperienced editor. Hence, he determined to postpone the work, in the hope that a few more years, and longer reflection, might render his own judgment less incompetent to the undertaking. He trusts, that, in one respect at least, the delay has been advantageous; for it has induced him to disencumber the work of much additional matter which he had formerly prepared, and to leave the Character and Letters, for the most part, to speak for themselves.

He now commits the work to the public, under a deep sense of the imperfect performance of his task, and with sincere prayers for the Divine blessing, to crown his labours.