NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION,

A CAREFUL revision of "AUTOPEDIA" has been made. It is now divided into eleven chapters, one of which-the tenth, "On Secular and Sacred Freedom"-is wholly new, and given because just views on the subject are essential to the promotion and maintenance of the rights and privileges, and to the performance of the proper duties of citizenship. Contents are prefixed to each chapter, and an index to the whole is added. This edition, it is hoped, will be found to have substantial claims on the attention of those for whose benefit it is mainly intended.

Far on in the even of life, and nearing the realities of the world unseen, the author feels called on to urge specially on the young the consideration of the great law that pervades and regulates the domain of mind embodied in the sacred declaration-"For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." How necessary and wise in man to reflect or the probable present and future result of all he thinks, and purposes, and feels, and does. However strong his reluctance, he cannot fail at times to look forward with some solicitude to the termination of his connection with the system that now is, and revolve the phases in which all the past shall then appear, and anticipate the verdict of conscience on entering within the mysterious veil that precludes the recognition of the destiny of his endless being. Nor ought he to overlook the recorded experience and impressions of those who have finished their course, as some useful and stimulating lessons may be gleaned from them for guidance to the right goal. When Lord Lyttleton-author of "Observations on the Conversion of St. Paul," "Dialogues of the Dead," "History of Henry the Second," &c.—came to the closing scene of his career, he said to his physician, "When I first set out in the world I had friends who endeavoured to shake my belief in the Christian religion. I saw difficulties which

staggered me, but I kept my mind open to conviction. The evidences and doctrines of Christianity, studied with attention, made me a most firm and persuaded believer in the Christian religion. I have made it the rule of my life, and it is the ground of my future hopes. I have erred and sinned; but I have repented, and never indulged any vicious habit. In politics and public life I made public good the rule of my conduct. I never gave counsels which I did not at the time think best. I have seen that I was sometimes in the wrong; but I did not err designedly. I have endeavoured in private life to do all the good in my power, and never for a moment could indulge malicious or unjust designs upon any person whatsoever." When Lord and Lady Valentia came to see his Lordship, he gave them his solemn benediction, and said, "Be good, be virtuous, my lord; you must come to this." A greater and wiser than Lyttleton has thus enjoined, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them;" and, as the result of his long and varied experience in the search of happiness from the objects which here attract, as power, riches, honour, knowledge, magnificence, and pleasure; and which are earnestly, though vainly, confided in as fitted to promote it, has said with awing solemnity, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

January 1871.

It affords me much pleasure to mention the attention given to this Edition, while it was passing through the press, by Mr. GEORGE TROUP, who has been so long connected with our periodical literature; and the services rendered to me by Mr. MITCHELL, Advocate, Aberdeen, in attending to the arrangements, and the lively interest he has taken in all connected with the Volume.

LUGAR VALE LODGE, COLMONELL,

February, 1871.

J. McC.

Extracts from some of the Notices of the First Edition are subjoined :—

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The volume is fitted to be of great use to those especially whose education must be for the most part what is called self-education. It is comprehensive, compact, practical. The positions which the author maintains, are built up on a strong foundation of broad and deep principles; and although the purpose for which the work was originally composed, precluded exhaustive argumentation; still enough is said to show the kind of reasoning, and clearly to indicate the main lines of argument by which the author's positions are established. The practical counsels are weighty, are expressed with much force and earnestness, and are of great value.

"We cordially, therefore, recommend the work, and particularly to those for whom it is 'designed.' It is obviously intended as a practical help to those who, without academical advantages, would attain to the higher platform of thought and knowledge. And this end we think it admirably fitted to serve, by the way in which it guides and stimulates thought, and exercises the mind in the treatment of important topics: by the way in which it maps out and connects the subjects to be studied; by the way in which it presents information, and directs to the sources whence more complete information may be derived."-The British and Foreign Evangelical Review.

"The reader will find here a piece of solid masonry. Scarcely can the book be opened without rewarding the 'young men' by its discriminating and sympathetic treatment of some of the greatest questions pertaining to the intellect, the conscience, and the life. The solidity of its statements and reasoning is often admirably relieved by incident and poetry. Nor does the lecturer fail to enforce his instructions with the weightiest teachings of Divine Revelation. We We hope it will speedily find its way to the shelves of our young men, and become their frequent study.”—The Nonconformist.

"The volume opens with an examination of "the subject of Educationthe Individual Person," while the education itself is viewed as embracing the spiritual part of human nature, viz., the mind and its constituent powers, and [their connection with the physical system. There is here a lucid, philosophical examination of Judgment, Memory, the Will, and its moral tendencies, Imagination, Conscience, &c.; Habits, good and bad, and the influence of proper education on human happiness. This is followed by a disquisition on the physical part of human nature-the importance of proper training-with observations on food, exercise, cleanliness, attire, moderation. The second part of

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the work discusses the results of right personal education and of its neglect. On all these, and other collateral subjects, our author writes with a familiarity, precision, clearness, and conscious power, entitled to command the respect and attention of our most advanced educationists and philanthropists. With one thing we are specially charmed, viz., that while he can traverse the fields of literature, philosophical, historical, and poetical, and estimate, as few could do, the value of classical works, he never forgets the supremacy of the Bible, or the 'relation of religious education to man as an immortal being. His criticism of books is unique, and displays an amount of reading and thought rarely found except in those who have devoted their lives to literary pursuits. We would like to see students and young ministers taking example from this experienced and accomplished divine.”—The Original Secession Magazine.

"He has read extensively, and meditated carefully, on the various topics that pass under review, and presents a digest of the best information, the ablest views, and the soundest criticisms that can be gathered from the whole range of the existing literature in regard to them, and accomplishes this task in the exercise of a strong, clear, discriminating judgment, thorough good taste, the highest moral tone, and the fullest sympathy with whatever concerns the wellbeing of man in all his relations both to this world and to the next. One thing especially that ought to endear this work to multitudes, and cause its being carefully placed in the hands of young men, is the care and faithfulness with which the author points out, exposes, and guards against the injustice done to religious truth and to religious men in popular and standard works; so that with the caveats furnished, young men may be profited by the perusal of these productions, without being poisoned by the deadly errors and the malignant assaults upon divine truth, which they contain."-The Daily Review.

"Let Dr. M'Crie's book be widely circulated, and duly considered, and it will be gratefully regarded as the standard work on self-education. It has the comprehensiveness and minuteness of principles and views, the pith and point of rules and advices, and the breadth, variety, and freshness of illustrations, that are required. It embraces all the departments of training for man in his entire nature and relations, The intellectual, moral, and religious being of man is vividly represented-its various powers being separately exhibited, and the peculiar means for developing, strengthening, and regulating these, being admirably discussed. There is a vast amount of systematized and valuable information, along with many original and striking views, upon science, literature, philosophy, and theology: and their application to high human training is fully displayed. The discussion on the fine arts and poetry, is characterised by remarkable force and beauty, subtlety, and eloquence; and his portraits of the great poets and artists, both ancient and modern, are individualized by a few vigorous strokes and delicate touches.

"The physical training that should be closely attended to, is most luminously and attractively expounded. Dr. M'Crie furnishes an immense amount of orderly and pertinent information, of an anatomical and physiological kind;