.

But when all this has been done,--(and the Science deserves, and requires,
a little more public encouragement than has hitherto been bestowed on the
arduous and--let me not be ashamed to add the word--_unremunerative_ labour
of Textual Criticism,)--it will be discovered that the popular and the
prevailing Theory is a mistaken one. The plausible hypothesis on which
recent recensions of the Text have been for the most part conducted, will
be seen to be no longer tenable. The latest decisions will in consequence
be generally reversed.

I am not of course losing sight of what has been already achieved in this
department of Sacred Learning. While our knowledge of the uncial MSS. has
been rendered tolerably exact and complete, an excellent beginning has
been made, (chiefly by the Rev. F. H. Scrivener, the most judicious living
Master of Textual Criticism,) in acquainting us with the contents of about
seventy of the cursive MSS. of the New Testament. And though it is
impossible to deny that the published Texts of Doctors Tischendorf and
Tregelles as _Texts_ are wholly inadmissible, yet is it equally certain
that by the conscientious diligence with which those distinguished
Scholars have respectively laboured, they have erected monuments of their
learning and ability which will endure for ever. Their Editions of the New
Testament will not be superseded by any new discoveries, by any future
advances in the Science of Textual Criticism. The MSS. which they have
edited will remain among the most precious materials for future study. All
honour to them! If in the warmth of controversy I shall appear to have
spoken of them sometimes without becoming deference, let me here once for
all confess that I am to blame, and express my regret. When they have
publicly begged S. Mark's pardon for the grievous wrong they have done
_him_, I will very humbly beg their pardon also.

In conclusion, I desire to offer my thanks to the Rev. John Wordsworth,
late Fellow of Brasenose College, for his patient perusal of these sheets
as they have passed through the press, and for favouring me with several
judicious suggestions. To him may be applied the saying of President Routh
on receiving a visit from Bishop Wordsworth at his lodgings,--"I see the
learned son of a learned Father, sir!"--Let me be permitted to add that my
friend inherits the Bishop's fine taste and accurate judgment also.

And now I dismiss this Work, at which I have conscientiously