A SERIES OF LETTERS

ADDRESSED TO

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF SUSSEX,

AS PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY,

REMONSTRATING AGAINST THE CONDUCT OF

THAT LEARNED BODY.

BY

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL EVEREST.

"Well saith Solomon, much reading is weariness unto the flesh.' How
many hundred studious days and weeks, and how many hard and tearing
thoughts, has my little, very little knowledge cost me, and how much infirmity
and painfulness to my flesh, increase of painful diseases, and loss of bodily
ease and health.

"How much pleasure to myself of other kinds, and how much acceptance
with men have I lost by it, which I might easily have had in a more conversant
and plausible way of life."-BAXTER'S DYING THOUGHTS.

LONDON:

WILLIAM PICKERING,,

1839.

1124.

C. WHITTINGHAM, TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.

PREFACE.

To expect that the public in general will interest themselves in a polemical discussion on subjects of abstract science, is, I am aware, unreasonable; yet perhaps there may not be wanting those who, on the bare principle of justice, will consent to peruse the present series of letters; and who make it the rule of their lives to frown down the strong when combining to oppress the weak and the absent.

To such persons I address myself-I ask no advocate-I court no favour; I complain of wrong inflicted by a body of men, powerful from their influence, their learning, their rank; and all that I ask is a fair and impartial hearing.