I feel indeed with sorrow, that events are hurrying us forward, as down the Rapid of an American river, and that there is too much danger _before_, to permit the mind easily to turn back upon the course which is past.

It is indeed difficult .-- But I need not say, that to yield to the difficulty, would be degrading to rational beings.

Besides, if from the retrospect, we can either gain strength by which we can overcome, or learn prudence by which we may avoid, such submission is not only degrading, but pernicious.

I address these words to those who have feeling, but whose judgment is overpowered by their feelings:--such as have not, and who are mere slaves of curiosity, calling perpetually for something new, and being able to create nothing new for themselves out of old materials, may be left to wander about under the yoke of their own unprofitable appetite .-- Yet not so! Even these I would include in my request: and conjure them, as they are men, not to be impatient, while I place before their eyes, a composition made out of fragments of those Declarations from various parts of the Peninsula, which, disposed as it were in a tesselated pavement, shall set forth a story which may be easily understood; which will move and teach, and be consolatory to him who looks upon it.

I say, consolatory: and let not the Reader shrink from the word.