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the utility of notes, my own opinion coincided with theirs and therefore, though, for the reasons above mentioned, I had resolved to publish it without, I was easily persuaded to make an attempt to write some kind of annotations; and after considerable delay, from a variety of causes, I have at last produced something, which, although very imperfect, I shall venture to lay before the public. For me, a work of this nature, would have been difficult, even under the most favourable circumstances; but, by the peculiar situation in which I have laboured, this difficulty has been greatly increased. However, though I have pursued this work through a crowd of inconveniences, I have not always been unattended by consolations. But though I may have as strong a desire of obtaining a competency as other men, I cannot say, that the hope of gain, has been any inducement to this work for, if wealth had been the object of my pursuit, many other roads exhibited a fairer prosFrom the fate of authors, whom I could not be vain enough to expect to equal, I have learned to known how little ought to be expected by one, who devotes his time to such employments. He may create enemies by the promulgation of his opinions, and destroy his health by want of exercise: he may spend his time in sedentary labour, and relinquish wealth and comfort, in support of truth; but though he submit to these evils for the good of the public, no man will reward him for his toil.

pect of success.

I regret that I am unable to finish the notes in a more eligible manner: but if any edition, alteration, or revision, shall appear to be merited or necessary, it can be

effected, perhaps, at a future time. They will, I hope be useful in their present state: however, whatever be their merits or demerits, I am not able to devote more attention to them at present; and can offer no other apology for their defects. They were chiefly intended for persons who have been too much engaged in business to acquire much information: and this being the chief object for which they were written; if they were adapted for this purpose, they must necessarily contain more than can be instructive to every reader. With the same motive, or from a desire of rendering them plain to all capacities, I have in some places admitted a species of tautology or repetition, which will probably not be very agreeable to persons of the best taste and judgment. To such persons, any thing which sounds like tautology, must be entirely superfluous: however, no one will be obliged to read more than he shall find useful.

Although I have examined the actions of men, with a scrutiny and severity which may appear uncharitable, it has not been from any uncharitable motive or sensation. A man may undoubtedly feel a proper abhorrence of crimes, and may use his exertions to prevent them, without feeling any desire of imposing any useless punjshment on those who commit them. So in the present case, I have done no more than appeared to me to be useful. I have made no personal allusions: and if any of my remarks should be applicable to the conduct, and therefore injurious to the feelings of any one, let him censure himself, and not me. It has not been my intention to create any degree of coldness or incivility, be

tween men of different opinions: my object has been to increase, and not to diminish the harmony of society. I wish every man to be sociable and free with his neighbours; to compare his opinions with theirs ; and, without anger or animosity, endeavour to reason them out of their errors and vices, or be reasoned out of his own. I wish that men, however different in opinion, would cultivate an intimacy with each other: and thus, by a friendly intercourse between them, and a candid and unreserved interchange of sentiment, give reason an opportunity to produce a uniformity of opinions, consistent with the unity of truth.

The rules of morality, which I have attempted to inculcate, may be deemed too exact, perhaps, to be strictly observed: but they are, however, not any too strict. Let every man steer as near as he can to the exact rules of morality; and if he have transgressed, or shall transgress any moral obligation, let him not, therefore, be discouraged, nor become more regardless of his duty. Many a one, through the impetuosity of youth or temper, has overleaped the bounds of religion and morality, and has afterwards reformed, and become a respectable member of society. Besides, if a man could not be the best, it would certainly not be rational, on that account to become the worst. If he cannot do the most good, let him (for he will derive the benfit of it) do as much as he possibly can. This is most rational, for every contribution, however small, will add to the stock or means of virtue, and accelerate the progress of general reforma tion.

If there is any thing worthy of our attention, beyond the mere gratification of our senses, it is the melioration of life. If there is any one object more important than another, it is to serve God, by serving his creatures. For, unless we have no choice; unless it is entirely in different or immaterial what path we pursue, or what deeds we perform, it must be our duty to do that which will produce the most happiness; and avoid the most misery. What will be the most effectual in the production of this great end? The abolition of that which occasions the most contention and torture, hardships and want. What will prevent or cause these evils? Government if bad, will cause; or if good, prevent them. If governments are the most powerful engines which can be used to operate on the world, it is of the utmost importance to ascertain, both the bad and the good; and to abolish the one, and establish the other. Different Jinds of governments have certainly existed in the world, and mankind have entertained different opinions respecting them. But all agree that they have the most important influence on society; and that different kinds are widely different in their effects. As their influence is so great, and their effects so widely different, it must therefore, be very important to shew, which is the most injurious to life as it is by the assistance of those who are not informed, that such governments are established.

If the actions of men can have no influence on the world, morality is a farce, wisdom is folly, and it is as good to do one act as another. In that case there is nothing submitted to the choice of a rational creature ; and this act is like all others, on a perfect equality.

Consequently no one can condemn me, in this instance, without condemning himself: for if we have any power to influence the world, I am right, and he who censures me is wrong: but if we have no power to alter the condition of life, we are mere machines; and if I act mechanically, so does he who condemns me. Hence I am not wrong in either case. But can any one suppose that we are mere automatons? No: every man acts with a consciousness of free agency, when he is endeavouring to benefit himself; and, therefore, let him not forget it when he might benefit others: for if he is a free agent in the one case, he must be in the other. I have remembered it in writing this book; and therefore, I hope it will be remembered by the reader.

A discussion of religious subjects being generally foreign to the object of this work, I have opposed no religious creed, further than it was connected with this subject. And that I might not, by being supposed to be a friend to one sect, and an enemy to all the rest, place the prejudice of any sect in the way of truth; it was not my intention to make any declaration of my religious opinions; and if this book should contain any ambiguous or doubtful passage, I enter this general protest against the inference of any such declaration.

I am very sensible, that this introduction has already extended to too great a length; and, lest the reader's patience should be exhausted, I will extend it no further.