PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. By chance, as it were, we came in possession of a copy of Sir Roger L'Estrange's translation, in form of an "Abstract," of "Seneca's Morals," printed nearly a century and a half ago; and being so highly pleased with the selection and arrangement of the same, also feeling the importance, yea, the actual necessity, of inculcating true and righteous principles, as a rule of Faith and Discipline with the world of mankind at the present time, we resolved to publish a Revised Edition of the work. Thus we publish "Seneca's Morals" by way of "Abstract," for the same reason that the author wrote them. They are jewels richly set; and whoever reads them cannot fail to be benefited by them. Although published to the world over eighteen hundred years ago, still they are strictly applicable to the present time. Truth is ever applicable in its place. Truth never dies! Seneca lived at the beginning of the Christain Era; he lived in an age of philosophy and reform; and, although science was not at that time sufficiently developed, or perfected in its character to demonstrate all of the common-place truths of Nature, yet it must be acknowledged that many of the ancient philosophers came very near, if not too, a perfect knowledge of the great moral truths of Nature. Yea, in many respects, very few at the present day are capacitated to vie, or even compare with them. This deficiency of our age undoubtedly is very much occasioned by the almost total neglect of the study, diligent study, of the great truths of Nature. Sithin Day SENECA'S MORALS, BY WAY OF ABSTRACT. BY SIR ROGER L'ESTRANGE, KNT. REVISED EDITION. BY LUCIUS V. BIERCE, A.M., CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY CLEVELAND, O. PUBLISHED BY A. B. & CO. T. A. L. P. H. P. A. 1855. |