It would seem to have been more candid, and the disavowal of 'an intention to injure' would have been more plausible, if the attack had been commenced when the author was present to defend himself, and not when he is in the depth of a wilderness, remote from his assailants and ignorant of their criticisms.

But we trust he has left many friends behind who will promptly and cheerfully defend his reputation till his return." On reading the pieces, I found them to be based in a petty spirit of fault-finding, uncandid, illiberal, and without wit, science, or learning.

It is said in a book, which my critics did not seem to have caught the spirit of--"Should not the multitude of words be answered, and should a man fall if talk be justified?
Should thy lies make men hold their peace, and when thou mockest shall no man make thee ashamed ?" (Job xi.

2, 3.) My blood boiled.

I could have accepted and approved candid and learned and scientific criticism.