Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by

DANIEL C. EDDY,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

STEREOTYPED AT THE

BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.

PREFACE.

WHEN I returned from Europe, a few months ago, I had no idea of making a book, or adding to that very questionable department of American literature known as "works of travel." The residence of a few months in any country does not give one such a full and perfect idea of the people as will enable him to advance opinions which will be of any considerable value to his readers. And yet he must be a dull scholar if he does not learn something which he can present in a way which will make it interesting and profitable. If he sees and hears independently, and without prejudice, his criticisms will not be entirely worthless. He will at least give an idea of the way in which his own mind was impressed by what he saw and heard; and though he might not be able to give a perfect view of the real condition of society, he will be able to sketch its outlines, and perhaps enter slightly into its details.

As a man who gazes upon a beautiful cathedral for a short time only will not be able to describe

every particular defect and excellency of the architectural design and finish, but will carry away with him a general outline of the whole, and perhaps a distinct impression of some peculiar feature, either of beauty or deformity, so the traveler who passes hastily through a country may give the impression which he received from his stand-point of observation which will enable the reader, in comparing his views with those of other visitors, to form a more correct estimate of the great temple of the world than if he had not written.

While in Europe, I endeavored to see and hear for myself, and judge independently of any previous prejudice. In giving names, dates, times, and distances, I have doubtless fallen into some errors, which the reader may correct at his leisure. I have also, in some few instances, been presumptuous enough to predict events, which the uncertain future, in its waywardness, may never bring to pass; and I leave time, the rectifier of all errors and the reformer of all abuses, to read the proof of them.

As I have written for my own personal friends, and the members of my own congregation, and as the first edition of the work will be almost entirely private, I have allowed my own peculiar theological sentiments to creep in now and then, more or less, for which I do not feel disposed to offer apology or crave pardon.