And how easy is it to decry as quackish, or, at least, as chimerical, anything that promises what is generally considered to be impossible? What is it that we are quackish or chimerical enough to proclaim? Why, nothing less than, that those who are at present embarked in the task of acquiring knowledge, do not steer the straightest course: we invite them to use the compass and to employ either sails or steam; we invite them not to rest satisfied with the strength of their muscles or number of their oars.
Such pretensions put forth by any individual, be he ever so illustrious, are likely to be met by the ignorant with a shout of "Impossible," "Absurd," "Incredible;" the quack and the presumptuous cannot help pouring upon such "unheard-of pretensions," a long dissertation on quackery and presumptuousness. But what must be the fate of a man big with similar pretensions, who, far from being illustrious, has but a very small name, indeed; no patrons, and, what is more, not a particle of wealth to support him or his arguments? Most happy must such a schemer feel himself, if he succeeds in extorting a few lines of pity or ridicule. The only thing he has to rely upon, is, his own perseverance, by which the attention of some exceptionably generous individual, or of those who are personally interested in the success of the undertaking, may be excited, which, followed by some other f other favourable cast cast of the die, may finally bless him with the sight of his "quackeries and chimeras" crowned with success. Such are our hopes and fears, whenever we translate our internal convictions even in the most modest style; for instance, in terms like these: By following Phrenotypics, as taught by a nothing in our shape, men shall henceforth be able to acquire more knowledge in days than they could hitherto do in weeks; and what was
