whole edition scarcely cleared more than prime cost. Indeed every page I added increased my expense, without at all advancing the price of the book, which had been fixed from the first: and I actually paid at the rate of 137. for every additional sheet, for the privilege of improving my work.

"To conclude this subject at once. I have been favoured to live to superintend a third edition; and by that I have fared somewhat better: but, except the sum given for the copy-right since that edition was concluded, I certainly have not cleared so much as 10007. for the labours of above twenty-one years. -I do not, however, regret this. God has provided for me and mine very graciously: by means of this publication my grand design, of accomplishing from the press what I found myself little capable of ef fecting from the pulpit, has eventually succeeded beyond my expectations: and I needed my trials and difficulties, both to correct the many evils connected with the undertaking, and to counterbalance any flattering circumstances arising out of it.”

This history of the production and publication of my father's Commentary on the Bible was written in the year 1812. Early in the following year all the transactions relative to it were brought under the review of the Court of Chancery, in consequence of the person who had purchased the residue of the first edition asserting a claim to the copy-right, and endeavouring to support an injunction against my father, and the booksellers to whom the work was now sold. The injunction was in the first instance granted; but it was immediately dissolved on the case being heard. I have, in some parts, a little en

larged and cleared up the narrative, from the report of the proceedings on that occasion. A friend, present in court, wrote to my father as follows, immediately after the decision: "The Chancellor went into all the transactions very minutely indeed; in the course of which he spoke of your conduct, as author, creditor, trustee, and, at one period, proprietor and publisher of the work, in the most honourable terms."

One short extract from the printed report may be given. It was contended by counsel against my father, that one of the agreements into which he had entered with the original publisher was " illegal, as being a laical dealing, contrary to the canons:" on which his Lordship remarked, in giving judgment, "Whether it is so or not, I am not now called to inquire; but I think I am not going far out of my way to say, that the laical dealings of a clergyman can never be less the subject of blame, than when they consist in writing, and promoting the circulation of explanatory notes on the Bible."

Previously to this decision, besides all the injury he had suffered in his property, my father and his publishers were assailed by advertisements and placards, strongly reflecting upon their character and proceedings. But the question was now finally set at rest, and the work has been exposed to no subsequent molestation.

This great work of my father's life was begun January 2, 1788; the first number was published March 22, following; and the last copy was finished for the press, June 2, 1792: during which period the whole was twice written over by his own hand. One great error committed was, beginning to publish so

soon after entering upon the composition. composition. This caused the author to be distressingly hurried throughout his whole progress. Sick or well, he was obliged to complete his weekly task; except as in some few instances he was compelled to plead for a short respite, by the suspension of the publication. I have actually known him, with great difficulty and suffering, prepare as much copy as he thought would complete the current number, and then, when he had retired to bed and taken an emetic, called up again to furnish more, what he had provided being insufficient for the purpose! It is needless to point out how injurious to a work, as well as distressing to an author, such a hurried execution must be; and the reader will agree with me in thinking it surprising, that a work, so composed, should have been found to possess such intrinsic merit, and gain such acceptance as it did, even in its most unimproved state. One effect was perhaps on the whole an advantage,-especially as any disadvantages accompanying it have been re-’ moved by the author's subsequent indefatigable labours,-namely, that he was compelled, in the first instance to be in so great a degree original; to give the result of his own reflections almost alone. There was little time to consult, much less to transcribe from other authors.

Some time after the conclusion of the work, the original publisher actually printed all the correspondence which had passed between my father and himself during its progress; hoping to show that he was injured, and perhaps to drive my father to make him some reparation: but I believe the pamphlet

completely defeated its own purpose, with all who were permitted to see it entire.

On the whole we may venture to assert, that all the labour, vexation, and distress which attended this work, were such as never will, nor ever can be known. But it was to answer important ends: and great troubles generally precede great successes. A playful sally of my father's mind may explain the view which he took of his situation, while the work was in progress. The publisher wished that the author's portrait should accompany it: No,' said my father, if one of us appears, we will both appear together,-upon the same jaded horse, in the middle of a miry lane, in which it may be impossible to decide whether it is more advisable to push forward, or to attempt a return.'

I shall now present the reader with extracts of letters relating to the times and subjects of this chapter.

To the Rev. J. Ryland, June 1, 1789: "My engagements are so many, and my embarrassments have been so great of late, that I have not been able to get on as I ought. My situation is difficult, but not without its usefulness. . . . . As my coming to town has introduced me to this (the publication of the Commentary,) and some other things which I trust will be useful, I cannot repent of coming: but I much question whether I can keep my station or not. I have made a bold march into an enemy's country; and, if I cannot make good my ground, I hope I shall be able to make an honourable retreat. I trust you

do

not forget to pray for me, for I much need and value

To the same, January 12, 1791. The following extract relates to a small publication, which, like some others, came in, as by a parenthesis, during the progress of the Bible.-" I have been so engaged that I have almost killed myself. In a discourse which you may see advertised, occasioned by the death of Mr. Thornton, with no name to it, and that never was preached, (on 2 Cor. v. 14, 15,) I have had a considerable hand; and it has cost me the more trouble, because I had not the whole direction of it; though I am answerable for its doctrines. This, added to my other engagements, has made me more than work enough, and I am not well at present. I would not have it publicly avowed that I am the author of the above-mentioned discourse, till a few weeks have elapsed: for there is a peculiar aim in it, at a class of people whom my name would prejudice. . . . . .

"I bless God, that I may take it for granted, that the law of God, and not the carnal mind, and its powers and inclinations, is the rule and standard of man's duty: otherwise I could not preach or write without shackles, on any subject whatever."

The discourse here referred to was composed at the request of the late Henry Thornton, Esq., who also made several contributions towards it. The reasons which prompted the proposal were these: Mr. H. T. was sensible that many persons contemplated the character and proceedings of his late father with astonishment, and many even with admiration, who had no just conception of the religious principles, which moved him to a course of conduct so unlike