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xxxii histories of philosophy, will perhaps be the most ready to acknowledge the superior skill with which the consecutive heads of inquiry have been arranged in these Discourses. They will not be less ready to acknowledge, that the originality and depth of the reflections and reasonings contained in them, is as conspicuous as the majesty and beauty of the language in which they are expressed.

That these splendid Discourses have not been completed, must be matter of regret to the Public, as it certainly is to those more immediately connected with this work. The completion of Mr Playfair’s, it is well known, was prevented by his death. The fine parallel between Newton and Leibnitz, which occupies the last pages of what has been printed of the Second Part of his Discourse, was corrected only a few days before that event; and it shows how strong and clear, to its very extinction, was that light, which had so long diffused its radiance over the paths of science. Mr Stewart’s plan has been fully executed, in so far as concerns the history of Metaphysical Knowledge; but that of Moral and Political Philosophy during the eighteenth century, at the commencement of which, the First Part of his Discourse closes, is unfortunately wanting. He has himself addressed the Public on this subject, in the Advertisement prefixed to his Second Part; but, notwithstanding the demands upon his time there alluded to, he would not have failed to attempt the accomplishment of his design, had his health been sufficiently stable to allow him to fulfil his own views and wishes in regard to it.

In closing this Outline, the Editor begs, that no one will ascribe the terms of commendation which occasionally occur in it, to any presumptuous idea, that they could be of any consequence, either to those to whom they apply, or to the Public. He conceived that it was his duty to give some account of the plan and contents of the work; and in doing so, he has only exercised the privilege allowed to the humblest historian, of representing the persons and things that come under his review, in the light in which they appear to his own understanding.

After the full view that has been given of the work, and the principles upon which it has been formed, there remain only a very few points requiring any farther remark or explanation.

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