My aim has been to furnish an intelligible sketch of the personal character and writings of Dr. Holmes, with the view of popularizing, if possible, him and his works among English readers. Those works are already widely known and appreciated in this country; but there is room for an extended knowledge of them; for they contain much to instruct and elevate the mind, as well as please its lighter fancy. I have ventured in some few instances to turn from the immediate purpose of the work, and introduce some reflections of my own. Should these prove dull, I may hope to be forgiven, as they will at least serve as foils to the beauties I have culled from the writings under criticism.

Throughout my work I have often referred to "The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table," "The Professor at the Breakfast-Table,” and “The Poet at the BreakfastTable,” respectively, by the abbreviated terms of "The Autocrat," ," "The Professor," and "The Poet."

J. B.

Fanuary, 1878.