Among other passages, unrivalled in style and matter by any other author, take the following:— ‘When I named this Essay a Sermon, I sought to prepare the inquirers after it for the absence of all the usual softenings _suggested by worldly prudence_, of all compromise between truth and courtesy. But not even as a Sermon would I have addressed the present Discourse to a promiscuous audience: and for this reason I likewise announced it in the title-page, as exclusively _ad clerum_, i.e. (in the old and wide sense of the word[25]) to men of _clerkly_ acquirements, of whatever profession.’ [All that we know is, that there is no such title-page to our copy.] ‘I would that the greater part of our publications could be thus _directed_, each to its appropriate class of readers. But this cannot be! For among other odd burs and kecksies, the misgrowth of our luxuriant activity, we have a READING PUBLIC, as strange _a phrase_, methinks, as ever forced a splenetic smile on the staid countenance of meditation; and yet _no fiction_! For our readers have, in good truth, multiplied exceedingly, and have waxed proud. It would require the _intrepid accuracy_ of a Colquhoun’—[Intrepid and accurate applied to a Colquhoun! It seems that whenever an objection in matter of fact occurs to our author’s mind, he instinctively applies the flattering unction of words to smooth it over to his conscience, as you apply a salve to a sore]—‘to venture at the precise number of that vast company only, whose heads and hearts are dieted at the two public _ordinaries_ of literature, the circulating libraries and the periodical press. But what is the result? Does the _inward man_ thrive on this regimen? Alas! if the average health of the consumers may be judged of by the articles of largest consumption’—[Is not this a side-blow at the _Times_ and _Courier_?]—‘if the secretions may be conjectured from the ingredients of the dishes that are found best suited to their palates; from all that I have seen, either of the banquet or the guests, I shall utter my _profaccia_’—[‘Oh thou particular fellow!‘]—‘with a desponding sigh: From a popular philosophy, and philosophic populace, good sense deliver us!’