PREFACE. THE origin of this little work is indicated in a passage which may be seen near the commencement. It would be unbecoming in the Author to print a copy of the too flattering Resolution of the President and Council of the Hull Literary and Philosophical Society there referred to, and partly in consequence of which, the paper in question, somewhat modified and amplified, is now presented to the public. It treats of subjects which have occupied his thoughts for many years; and all he begs to be given credit for, is a good intention. For the rest, he must surrender himself to criticism with what fortitude he may. Two-thirds of the paper were read on the evening of Tuesday, the 28th December 1852, and listened to with an attention amply repaying the Author's efforts to present an extensive and difficult subject, in an acceptable manner, to a mixed and very large audience. A deputation, in considerable numbers, from the Mechanics' Institute of Hull, formed part of that audience, in pursuance of a liberal and friendly invitation from the President and Council of the Literary and Philosophical Society: a circumstance which afforded the Author peculiar gratification. INNER TEMPLE, LONDON, January 1853. MR PRESIDENT, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, * I HOPE that the special relation |ing a unanimous resolution of the in which I stand towards this populous President and Council, soliciting me borough, and its ancient town and cor- "to take steps, by anticipation, to poration, a town which has num- commit the paper to the press, in orbered among those of its citizens the der that it may be perused, at as early noble names of Andrew Marvel, and a period as possible, by those who William Wilberforce-will, together cannot hear the paper read-with a with a fact which I shall presently view to its extended usefulness." I mention, satisfactorily account for my own that I was not a little affected by appearance before you this evening, so signal a mark of confidence; and in a position to myself at once new have already, as far as I have been and responsible. As a member of the able, complied with the request. Bar, and also exercising judicial functions among you, such a position as I now occupy is intended, I can assure you, to be a solitary one in my lifetime; and it is also an embarrassing one, because not in unison with my professional habits and objects. On the occasion, however, of my first judicial visit to this town, in last October, I received an unexpected and earnest request from the President and Council of the Literary and Philosophical Society of this place, to read a paper before the Society, and on any subject which I might select. After much consideration, I expressed my willingness to do so, and chose the subject now before us. Some time afterwards, was honoured by receiv*The town and county of Kingston-uponHull, commonly called Hull, was constituted a free borough, with extensive immunities, under a charter of Edward I., dated the 1st April 1299. For upwards of a century, however, before that time, it had been a seaport of considerable mercantile importance. -See Frost's Notices relative to the early history of the town and port of Hull, [A.D. 1827] and The Encyclopædia Britannica, tit. "Hull." As I feel it a very responsible honour, under these circumstances, to appear before you, so I beg your indulgence, and your sustained attention, while I endeavour to lay before you, though, it may be, very imperfectly, some of the results of nearly a quarter of a century's observation and reflection, on many subjects of the highest interest and importance. It is in vain for me, however, as it would be foolish, to attempt to burthen you with all the dismaying mass of manuscript which I hold in my hand; and, finally, before starting on our extensive and venturous expedition, I have to assure you that nothing shall fall from me calculated to provoke difference of opinion, except so far as is unavoidable in addressing any mixed and independent auditory. Above all things, I shall eschew everything even approaching to a political or sectarian character. This, indeed, your rules discreetly prohibit; and to those rules my own purpose and feelings dictate a rigorous adherence. Well, then, we are here assembled, |