PREFACE.

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sion to pass by unimproved, which I might fairly use, to incul-cate an elevated sense of justice, of integrity, of honor, ofdignity, and of independence of feeling, sentiment, and action.All these are elements of an enlightened sense of duty, thestrengthening and maturing of which, is, of all things, the mostessential in the formation of character.

Next to religion, the moral interests of a nation are its high-est interests, and practical morals have an intrinsic claim to beuniversally studied and understood. Studies pertaining to moralduty, that is, to personal conduct, may well claim precedenceof every other. It is not important, that every man should beacquainted with Algebra and Geometry, though these sciencesare not without their use to any one ; but it is important, thatevery man, whatever may be his vocation, should be acquaintedwith practical morals. Still, the importance of Moral Philosophyis not so generally acknowledged as it ought to be, and it hasbeen very much neglected, in almost, if not quite all our institu-tions of education.

Moral Philosophy has important relations to, and connexionswith law ; and, on these parts of the subject, I have sometimesstood in need of the aid and advice of gentlemen learned in thelaw. My acknowledgments are due to Mitchell King, C. G.Memminger, and George W. Eggleston, Esquires, of Charles-ton, for considerable assistance rendered in this way. Whileresiding at Cambridge to superintend the printing, similar as-sistance has been given me, with much kindness and courtesy,by Simon Greenleaf, Esq., Royall Professor of Law in HarvardUniversity, and by Mr. Justice Story, of the Supreme Court of theUnited States. Invited “ to consult them as often as it suitedme,” several of my chapters have derived the greatest advan-tage from the consultations which were thus encouraged. Presi-dent Quincy, also, with his accustomed liberality, and withoutwaiting to be applied to, opened to me all the facilities of theUniversity.

Cambridge, 4 September, 1837.

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