LETTER TO MR DE QUINCEY.
My dear Sir,—Mr Blackwood has just favoured me with a proof of your testimonial. It goes so far beyond what I am entitled to on account of my actual performances, and at the same time touches with such nice discrimination on the points in which I have endeavoured to excel, that I scarcely know whether I ought to despair of ever justifying such glowing commendations, and of approximating so high a standard, or whether I ought to accept them as a cheering stimulus to further exertions, and as an augury of metaphysical victories which I may perhaps yet live to achieve. Let me take the more hopeful view; and as some very small return for the great kindness and honour you have done me, let me lay before you a slight chart of the speculative latitudes which I have reached, and which I expect to navigate without being wrecked. "The Theory of
