ground which is already occupied.

One word more. When we commenced our labours we were warned by more than
one friendly voice, that, although we should probably find no lack of
Queries, we should oftentimes be "straited for a Reply." This, however,
as our readers will admit, has not been the case; for though, as
Shakspeare says, with that truth and wisdom for which he is proverbial--

"The ample proposition that Hope makes,
In all designs begun on earth below,
Fails in its promis'd largeness,"

the observation in our Introduction, that "those who are best informed
are generally most ready to communicate knowledge, and to confess
ignorance, to feel the value of such a work as we are attempting, and to
understand that if it is to be well done {290} they must help to do it,"
has, thanks to the kind assistance of our friends, grown, from a mere
statement of opinion, to the dignity of a prediction. We undertook our
task in faith and hope, determined to do our best to realize the
intentions we had proposed to ourselves, and encouraged by the feeling
that if we did so labour, our exertions would not be in vain, for--

"What poor duty cannot do,
Noble respect takes it in might not merit."

And the success with which our efforts have been crowned shows we were
justified in so doing. And so, gentle reader, to the banquet of dainty
delights which is here spread before you!

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