ΤΟ HIS FATHER, JOHN HODGKIN, AND TO HIS NEPHEWS, JOHN ELIOT HODGKIN, AND THOMAS HODGKIN JUN. THE LINKS WHICH CONNECT HIM WITH THE PRECEDING AND SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS, IN TOKEN OF GRATEFUL AND UNFEIGNED REGARD TO THE FORMER, AND OF CORDIAL GOOD, WISHES FOR THE LATTER, THIS LITTLE ATTEMPT TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF HIS COUNTRYMEN IS, WITH THE WARMTH OF AFFECTION, INSCRIBED, BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. THE following Lectures were delivered at the Mechanics' Institution, in Spitalfields, rather more than five years ago. I have been repeatedly pressed to print them; but a variety of engagements has not allowed me time to do so, until the confinement occasioned by a severe accident furnished me with an opportunity of proceeding with the task. I feel it necessary to state, in apology for the want of uniformity in style which may be observed in these Lectures, that they were partly written in full, and partly given extempore, from short heads. In printing the latter portion, I have been under the necessity of employing, with some correction and addition, the notes which were taken by one of my hearers. These Lectures, I must observe, are designed for that class of readers for whom the series of publications, styled the "WORKING MAN'S COMPANION," has been commenced by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. At the same time, I must observe, that as I cannot contemplate their being wholly confined to the hands of individuals of that class, I have not rigidly restricted myself to those materials which are exclusively or peculiarly adapted to them. I have only to add my earnest desire, that those who may read this little book, and unite with the suggestions which it contains, may not be wanting in using their exertions to urge their general adoption with more cogent and effectual persuasion than I have been able to employ. And I would further recommend, that this little volume might not wholly be confined to private reading; but that advantage might arise from its being read by the Operative Class, when met together, either in their Mechanics' Institutions, or in any of those associations into which, under the name of Clubs or Benefit Societies, they may have entered, for the purpose of promoting their own welfare:-nor would I even exclude those occasions on which they avowedly meet for more convivial purposes. It would perhaps |