A man's nature runs either to herbs or weeds: therefore let him scason- SOLD ALSO BY HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY; AND BY W. & C. TAIT, EDINBURGH, PREFACE. A CONCISE view of the following argument was communicated, about two years since, to a Literary Society. Whether it appeared novel, or the subject was in itself interesting, a request was soon after conveyed to me, that it might be given to the public. In considering the subject, it was obvious, that it not only admitted of copious illustrations, but that it involved many abstract discussions more adapted to the closet than to the Lecture-room. Accordingly, some of my leisure has since been employed in making such an arrangement of facts, illustrations, and reasonings, as, I am induced to think, will present a more clear and consistent view than was contained in the original discourses. I am, notwithstanding, fully aware, that, in its present state, it is not without many imperfections; and yet they appear |