Page:Memoirs of the Lives.djvu/14

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PREFACE.

to be held in honourable estimation, so long as it is admitted that memory is performing her noblest office when aiding the obligations of gratitude and justice.

The subsequent memoirs will not introduce the reader to the knowledge of men, who have distinguished themselves as warriors in the battle which is "with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood"—who have attained a rank among the luminaries of science, or have been elevated to notice by a splendid career of senatorial greatness; features in the human character which generally excite the respect of nations, awaken the admiration, and beget the