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