“ The old Bay-State stands to-day among her sister states of the Nation seventh in population, fourth in wealth, third in manufactures, first in education, and foremost in the formation of the intelligent and patriotic public conscience so keenly alive to the welfare of the whole country. ”

“ For the present volume there appears to be no absolute necessity for an Introduction, and yet to confess the truth, so strong a hold has custom upon the eye, that were this feature lacking, there would be wanting upon the free of the returns, an important factor in the tout ensemble of the work. ”

“ Multiply the pains taken to secure so full and accurate a record of your own life by one thousand and even then there remains a large margin of patient research and necessary verification, not at first apprehended. ”