As to my opinions, I have no particular desire to vindicate them.

They are merely speculative, and therefore cannot partake of the nature of moral culpability.

They are early formed, and I am not solicitous that you should think them superior to those of most people at eighteen.

I will, however, say this in their defence.

Whatever the affectionate alarm of my dear mother may lead her to apprehend, I am not one of the "sons of anarchy and confusion" with whom she classes me.