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PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE author feels, that, on publishing a second edition, some expression of gratitude is due to the conductors of several periodical works, for the promptness with which they have noticed the following Memoir, and for the kind manner in which they have spoken both of his lamented son and of himself, He thanks them for their suggestions also; to some of which he has, it may be perceived, paid attention. Most of the Reviewers have spoken, in highly eulogistic terms, of his dear child's Essays; and some have expressed a wish to see, at least, another volume of his productions. The biographer had in view, when composing the work,-to present an eminent intellectual and christian character in a youth with specimens, sufficient to justify the terms in which he had described it, together with an account of the early education, and of the principles under which the character was formed. That design has, he thinks, been completed. He dreaded from the commencement, and he still dreads, the thought of throwing before the public a mass of juvenile essays; which must, after all, derive their chief interest from the circumstance of being the productions of an extraordinary boy.

The very kindness of the public, in so readily purchasing the former edition, and in calling for still more copies, supplies him with a stronger in

ducement to pause, before he complies with the friendly suggestions of his critical advisers. He is afraid lest he should subject himself, among those who do not know him, to the charge of taking advantage of the public sympathy-to thrust upon the world productions of an inferior character, and as little honorable to the memory of his son, as to his own discrimination and prudence. It would, however, be injustice to the writers who have thought so favourably of his beloved child's talents, did he not acknowledge that he has seriously considered the subject; and it would be as unjust to himself did he not add, that he cannot go before general opinion. He is willing to follow it and should the public give indications of a wish for more, he may, at some future time, should the Almighty prolong his life, publish the Essay On the advantages of Classical Literature; that On the Standard of Taste; and a few more of those which were delivered in the Moral Philosophy Class.

There are other suggestions of private friends to which he has given considerable attention. If he has not yet complied with their wishes, the cause has been, that a new edition was instantly and urgently called for; while the claims on his attention and services by two or three religious institutions, either took him from home, or so occupied him there, that to undertake any considerable work was utterly impracticable.

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MEMOIRS,

&c.

My beloved child, WILLIAM FRIEND, SO named from his maternal grandfather, was born January 7th, 1803.* It was no sooner announced to me that "a man child was born into the world," than I most solemnly dedicated him to his Maker; and from that day to the dreadful moment in which I heard he was gone beyond the reach, or the need of prayer,

* The author deems it necessary to inform his youthful readers, that a few of the commencing pages refer to the treatment of his child almost in the very nursery. They will perceive, in the progress of the work, his reasons for paying so much attention to the earlier stages of his history. But if they find this part uninteresting, they may, without impro› priety, proceed at once to the account of his moral and religious, or to that of his intellectual, education; the exact places of which are indicated in the Table of Contents

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