INTRODUCTION.

"THE PROPER STUDY OF MANKIND IS MAN."

HIS is laid down as an evident axiom by a well-known English poet; and though we should be sorry to subscribe to all his assertions, we think that in this instance he is correct.

Man consists of two parts, which, for simplicity and clearness, we will call body and mind. To study the anatomy of the human frame and the various phases of our internal structure is a laudable pursuit, which is of vast importance to the comfort of our present existence, and to the continuation of our animal life. This belongs exclusively to those engaged in the medical and surgical profession, to whom we feel that we are greatly indebted, and to whom we would acknowledge our grateful obligation. But as the mind is decidedly superior to the body of man, so we desire to offer respectful homage and fervent thanks to those who

minister

minister to our mental wants and labour for our intellectual improvement. These noble benefactors of the human race may be divided into three classes.

First, The HISTORIAN, who records facts, and endeavours to describe accurately the various motives of human conduct. But as he deals principally with grand events and mighty personages, so, of necessity, he frequently soars beyond the glance and far away from the experience of ordinary mortals. Besides, there is so much political craft and unfathomable cunning in the doings of those who manage the affairs of kingdoms, that the historian-be he ever so clever-is liable to be deceived himself, and thus unwittingly and unintentionally to delude and to mislead his most intelligent readers. This arises frequently, aye, and perhaps most frequently, not from want of integrity or philanthropy on his part, but from the extreme difficulty of the task he has undertaken. To the honest historian be all praise-and there we must leave him.

Secondly, There is the NOVELIST, who composes and publishes works of fiction, and labours to place before his fellow-mortals the motives which influence the human mind, and the varied consequences of human conduct, which are dignified or disgraceful, as the source from which they spring is pure or polluted. Such

authors

authors as these, when their intention is truly benevolent and their talent is suited to the arduous undertaking in which they have engaged, merit and receive due thanks and admiration. But then they offer for our study and contemplation, not substantial facts, but the shadowy dreams of their own creative mind and brilliant imagination. They may do, and they frequently do, good service to society by deterring men from a career of crime and folly, and by directing them into the road which leads to unblemished reputation, honourable usefulness, and unsullied satisfaction. For their honest efforts we are grateful, and sincerely do we congratulate them on the deserved applause that rewards their intellectual labours.

But there is a third class of authors of whom we must now say a few words. The BIOGRAPHER differs from other authors in being strictly confined to a simple detail of facts. He derives his knowledge of one whose memory deserves to be preserved, and the honest description of whose useful life will communicate consolation to bereaved relatives and friends, not from doubtful rumour or from fanciful visions, but from authentic documents, personal experience, and unquestionable information. All that is advanced by the honest biographer and such we desire to prove ourselves—is founded on the solid basis of truth. And surely there

is something very instructive and encouraging in tracing out the career of a man whose chief aim and invariable object was to set a good example to those with whom he associated, to cheer and comfort those who composed his domestic circle, and to benefit, as far as his means would permit and his abilities enable him, all who came within the sphere of his influence. Nay, we do not indeed exaggerate or write merely ornamental biography, when we express our firm conviction, from our personal intimacy with and knowledge of the esteemed subject of this brief Memoir, that his large and benevolent heart grasped in the whole human race; that the main desire of his mind was to benefit all that came within his reach as far as ever opportunity offered.

We shall conclude this little Introduction to the unpretending Work that follows this feeble dissertation, with the expression of an earnest and anxious wish that it may prove-imperfect though we feel it is-acceptable and useful.