VI

PREFACE.

Ordinarily the fruits of benevolence perish with their imme-diate appropriation ; but, in this instance, they will be enjoyedby the living, and be preserved in their original bloom andfreshness for future ages. As long as literature and science,and the improvement of the minds and morals of the rising gen-eration, shall be cultivated among us, the name of the distin-guished patron and promoter of these inestimable objects willbe gratefully associated with them.”* On the 25th of October,1829, the founder, in communicating his “ intentions respectinghis professorship,” to the Trustees, says, among other things,“ It is further his intention, that for ever hereafter, the Lec-tures delivered on Moral and Political Philosophy, by everyPrincipal of the College of Charleston as the Horry Professor,shall be printed and published, from time to time, in such man-ner as the Trustees and Principal of the said College shall judgeexpedient, and for its benefit.” In a letter to me of 2d of Feb-ruary, 1829, after referring to these “intentions,” he says, “Ithought it best to trammel the professorship but little, and toleave as much as possible to the judgment, talents, and learn-ing of the Principal of the college, and to the changes both inmorals and politics which in the course of time may happen. Iam glad to hear, that you have commenced your preparations fordelivering your Lectures, and I look forward with great pleasure,to the good which will result from them.”

Again, in a letter of the 3d of June, 1829, he says, “ I con-sider Moral Philosophy to be that branch of science, which treatsof man in his individual capacity, and of the moral and intellec-tual qualities of his mind. Political Philosophy, I consider asapplicable to men in their public capacities, whereby civil so-cieties are formed, governments are established, and laws areframed or enacted, in the first instance, for the guidance of each

society, state, or nation, and afterwards to regulate the inter- - .

* Resolution, introduced to the Board of Trustees by the Hon. William Dray-ton, and unanimously approved, on the 13th of October, 1828.

$