In this respect I think they frequently fail to do themselves justice; for in the United States, as well as elsewhere, people are sometimes seen to give way to those disinterested and spontaneous impulses which are natural to man; but the Americans seldom allow that they yield to emotions of this kind; they are more anxious to do honor to their philosophy than to themselves.
I might here pause, without attempting to pass a judgment on what I have described.

The extreme difficulty of the subject would be my excuse, but I shall not avail myself of it; and I had rather that my readers, clearly perceiving my object, should refuse to follow me than that I should leave them in suspense.

The principle of interest rightly understood is not a lofty one, but it is clear and sure.

It does not aim at mighty objects, but it attains without excessive exertion all those at which it aims.

As it lies within the reach of all capacities, everyone can without difficulty apprehend and retain it.