TO THE REV. JULIUS CHARLES HARE, RECTOR OF HURTSMONCEAUX, SUSSEX. MY DEAR HARE, Ir in writing a multitude of books, there is much weariness, there is at least this satisfaction ;--that the writer may sweeten each portion of his toil, by making it the memorial of some valued friendship. I look upon the following pages with much greater pleasure, because I have prefixed your name to them; and I turn the speculations which they contain with a more cheerful and kindly spirit, because they carry me back to the days in which you still resided in our muchloved Trinity College;—when I had the delight of constant intercourse with you, and such themes were not unfamiliar to our conversation. In the main purpose of my Sermons, I know that I shall have you for my favorer, for I had you for my fore runner. You are now removed from us, to my great sorrow and that of many more; and are transferred to a situation where your daily walk is among viii the practical duties and household feelings, which you cultivate so earnestly and well, and which, if I am not mistaken, you deem the fit employment and true business of man. Nor am I disposed to doubt that such a life is, for most men, more truly wise and happy than one in which our tasks lie chiefly in the world of speculation; and in which the principal events consist in our own solitary intellectual struggles. Yet to you I may say, without any doubt of receiving your assent, that this employment of Guessing at Truth, is both in itself praiseworthy; and, if carried on with a humble trust in the Divine Giver of all Truth, is full of deep and wide sources of practical blessing. I therefore dedicate these Discourses to you, in the full confidence of receiving from you, not only the kind wishes of a friend, and the interest of a lover of speculative truth, but the approbation of a good man. I am always, my dear Hare, Trinity College, Cambridge, Dec. 16, 1837. Affectionately yours, W. WHEWELL. |