It it is no perfunctory service.

He resolved to do it years ago, when he finished his work on the Irish Church Establishment, and it has been delayed only in consequence of illness and other engagements.

He does not boast of any extraordinary qualifications for the work.

But he claims the advantage of having studied the subject long and earnestly, as one in which he has been interested from his youth.

He has written the history of the country more or less fully three times.