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PREFACE

HIS is not the first time that the idea of a volume like

THIS

the present has entered the minds of some of William Law's admirers. John Sterling, writing in 1843 to Professor Maurice, his brother-in-law, enthusiastically announces his discovery of one of Law's earliest philosophical Essays, and suggests to Maurice that he should see to its being reprinted for the sake of his students and other thoughtful young men. In a subsequent letter Sterling puts forward the idea that a volume might be made out of Law somewhat similar to Coleridge's well-known volume, the Aids to Reflection. And though, unhappily, the larger undertaking was never carried out, yet the Essay referred to,-the Remarks on the Fable of the Bees,was republished by the Messrs. Macmillan in 1844, with a singularly characteristic Introduction by Professor Maurice, a piece of work that will make all who read it greatly regret that its able and versatile author did not go on to render in our day the same service to William Law that Coleridge had rendered to Archbishop Leighton. I need not say that it never entered my head to attempt the task that Sterling had in vain called upon Maurice to undertake. As it is, I have often felt that I have been almost too bold even to make bare