Page:The Mohammedan system of theology (IA mohammedansyste00neal).pdf/13

Rh to their specific objects, are not more than equal to the reasonable expectations of the public, neither do they supersede or render further attempts at illustration superfluous. The same object may be viewed with advantage and effect, through a variety of medium: what is not found to engage attention, under one aspect or point of view, may by a change of scene, become attractive and awaken laudable curiosity: a compendium may prove a welcome companion where a formal treatise would be rejected. Since Prideaux's life of Mohammed, nothing has appeared among us in the shape of a manual. To obviate this inconvenience has given rise to the present attempt, which is an extension of his plan,