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.

If it be said that I have used the names of men freely, and commented upon their modes of living, or style of public speaking, too fully, I have only to say, that I have illustrious examples in those English and French clergymen, statesmen, novelists, and poets who have journeyed in America as long as I remained in Europe, and who, on returning to the old world, commented as freely, and judged as hastily, as any writer on this side of the ocean could do on his return from the scenes of grief and glory beyond the deep. I have endeavored to be just; and if telling the truth about a nation is offensive, why, let the people do as the pope does - proscribe railroads, and, as far as possible, keep all foreigners away. If England is ashamed of her gin palaces and her starving thousands, let her shut up the former and redress the wrongs of the latter. If France is ashamed of the coup d'état of her "prince president" - the democrat with a broken and outraged constitution beneath his feet the Catholic with the shame and guilt of perjury on his soul, let not seven millions of voters indorse his course, and by their noiseless influence sustain his infamous usurpations. If Italy is ashamed of her bones and beads, crosses and cardinals, her sovereign, with his tiara and his dandy guards, let her enslaved thousands rise and be men again, as were the people of Rome, when even

Paul could boast that he was a citizen of that once favored, but now fallen city.

The reader will perceive that a considerable portion of this work was written before the late important changes in Europe, and the whole was completed while those changes were taking place, and when their results could not be known; and still the traveler asks, "Watchman, what of the night?" for no morning has dawned, and nought but faith can see a star shining amid the mutations and revolutions of the land to which, to-day, all eyes are turned in deep solicitude.

But patience, man! to-morrow will come; and such a morrow! Heard you not how blood makes fat the soil, and bones enrich the earth? Know you not that freedom's tree shall grow greener yet, where blood flowed fastest and men died freest? Hath none ever told you, and have you never read, that "GOD is in history"?

To the kindness and generosity of my friends I am indebted for the tour which I have made: I am grateful. To my traveling companions I owe much of the pleasure and success of my undertaking: they are thanked. To God belongs the praise for a safe return it is acknowledged.