The reception given by the learned world to the First Volume of this work, as expressed hitherto in smaller reviews and notices, has on the whole been decidedly far from discouraging.

All have had some word of encomium on our efforts.

Many have accorded praise and signified their agreement, sometimes with unquestionable ability.

Some have pronounced adverse opinions with considerable candour and courtesy.

Others in opposing have employed arguments so weak and even irrelevant to the real question at issue, as to suggest that there is not after all so much as I anticipated to advance against our case.