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work was undertaken amidst numerous other important and arduous avocations. The sources of his information were further scattered in a great variety of repositories. It sometimes lay in considerable portions, but often in very minute ones; sometimes by itself, but often mixed up with subjects of a very different nature: and even where information relating to his object stood disjoined from other subjects, a small portion of what was useful, commonly lay imbedded in a large mass of what was trifling and insignificant. It was his task to explore this assemblage of heterogeneous things, and to separate, for his own use, what was true, and what was false.
Suffice it, however, to state, that his most strenuous endeavours have not been wanting to render the work, as far as his abilities, attainments, and resources admitted, worthy of the encouragement of a discerning public.
Should it have the effect of bringing this highly valuable province into more general notice; should it afford to inquirers more correct and authentic information than has hitherto been supplied; and, finally, should it even in the most distant manner lead to an improvement in the moral, as well as the temporal condition of the people, he will consider the labour bestowed on it, more than repaid.
