( V )

cuffions ; I might catch many rays of light thatfaintly glimmer in obscure times; and, I mightdefend the novelty of my opinions , when I ven-tured to oppose established tenets , and authors

of reputation.

Though 1 have employed much thought andassiduity to give a value to these papers, yet Icommunicate them to the public with the greatestdiffidence. My materials were buried in the midstof rubbish, were detached, and unequal. I hadto dig them up anxiously, and with patience;and, when discovered and collected , it was stillmore difficult to digest and to fashion them. Ihad to struggle with the darkness and imperfectionof time and of barbarity. And , from the mostable historians of our own and foreign nations,who might naturally be expected to be intelli-gent guides for the paths I have chosen; I couldderive no advantage. They generally prefer whatis brilliant to whay is useful ; and they neglect alldisquisitions into laws and into manners , thatthey may describe and embellish the politics ofprinces , and the fortunes of nations , the splen-did qualities of eminent, men . and the lustre ofheroic action.

Edincburgh, January}

a Z