"Il y a des gens propres à trouver des vérités; d'autres qui sont propres à trouver des images aux vérités, comme des comparaisons; d'autres qui sont propres à trouver des vérités aux images." NICOLE, Pensées. "Rather to excite your judgment briefly than to inform it tediously."- BACON, Articles of Union between England and Scotland. We are come with willingness to bear What torturing death or punishment you please. Old Play of Edward III. 1596. Une préface est presque toujours une prétention, quand elle cesse d'être une précaution. ULBACH, Susan Duchemin. N preface-writing we resemble the celebrated Mayor of Calais either in his first or second attitude. We either sound the trumpet of defiance and non-surrender, or we present ourselves with the key of our meaning in our hands and the halter of submission round our necks; of which articles, however, the former is often far from answering its purpose, and the latter is rarely intended to do so. After this I have very little business with any introductory matter; however, I shall just venture upon a few words. |