1 that which I have experienced, and leave it to every
2 reader to examine and judge for himself. I wish to
3 avoid self-praise,- and honestly to give the impartial
4 reader an opportunity of judging from this work,
5 whether the happy results, herein described, are to he
6 attributed to good-fortune, or, to the excellence of the
7 system, and my peculiar mode of treatment.
8 We have continually to combat with deeply rooted
9 habits anti prejudices ; and it, requires no little patience,
10 constancy, 3nd perseverance to come off triumphant.
11 Habit exercises a powerful influence on the mental
12 faculties, as well as on the physical organisation. It
13 is a very difficult task, and one which requires indom¬
14 itable resolution, to forget what we have once learned,
15 and to apply ourselves to the study of things which
16 may have appeared impossible. Yet, men of sense often
17 change their opinions—blockheads, never. Tins is espe¬
18 cially the case with persons who are strongly prejudiced
19 in favor of Systems to which they arc indebted for
20 their limitation, extensive practice, and good income.
21 It can scarcely be expected that men should abandon
22 Lheir lengthy prescriptions and familiar methods, to
23 study new ones; or, that they should be persuaded
24 tli.it minute doses could produce effects more salutary
25 and rapidly than larger ones. Above all, those who
26 prefer gain to conscientiousness, may be expected to
27 raise an outcry against this publication. To those who
28 may attempt to decry my System, whether from pecu¬
29 niary interest, ignorance, or, a lack of power t.o relin¬
30 quish prejudices, 1 say, with Cicero— Tacere pncslat
31 jihilosojihis. (juam loqwi » To those who may ingenuously
32 desire to correct errors, and who possess manliness