PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. I AM sensible that the first use which I ought to make of this preface, is to apologise for troubling the world again, so soon after sub mitting to its judgment my observations on The Primary Argument of the Iliad. The best apology which I can offer, is the assur ance, that neither of these tracts has been newly or hastily taken into hand; but, that they have lain by me for many years, and have been occasionally revised, extended, or cur tailed, according as later materials have fallen in my way.
