privileged opinion, the purpose is sufficiently answered.
From the temperate exposure of facts which the Writer has adopted, it can never be supposed that his views are hostile. The Brethren are unknown to him, and probably may never condescend to notice him beyond an occasional recollection : but if, contrary to his expectation, the Reader, throughout this narrative, should suspect a sneer, the benevolence of the Writer allows him to soften and correct it by a smile.
Of the history and opinions of the Insane, much curious matter is dispersed, and might advantageously be collected from works of various descriptions : most authors (generally without design) have contributed something ; and if such scattered materials were gleaned into a volume, the “Use and Improvement of Madness in a Commonwealth” might be sooner and more clearly ascertained.
In Germany, Mr. Spiess has published four volumes of the biography of insane
