press, had swelled to an entirely unexpected amount, and I was reluctant to consent to the delay which was likely to be occasioned by a similar treatment of the remaining books in the same division. In respect to the Later Prophets, I propose nothing of the kind, because of the very wide range, which a minute verbal commentary upon poetical compositions must needs take. Moreover, it seemed probable, that those who had regarded my views of the Early Prophets with any favor, might be disposed, previously to further illustrations of them, to attend to a general statement of the argument respecting the prophetical writings, more commonly so called, and to a few particular expositions of their sense. I hope, before the expiration of the present year, to publish another volume, completing the examination of the remaining writings under both these divisions.
In quotations from the poetical books, I have almost always followed the version of Dr. Noyes, incomparably the best translation of those books which exists in our language, and a work, that for ability and learning ranks with the most meritorious, which, in any department, this country has produced.