NOZRANI IN EGYPT AND SYRIA. "Magno viatico breve (vita) iter non instruitur sed oneratur." MIN. FEL. Thomas Wilson M. A. of Corpus Christi College, LONDON: LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGM ANS- NORWICH: CHARLES MUSKETT. S 1846. PREFACE. THIS Preface has no object beyond that of briefly accounting for the publication of what may perhaps appear a needless addition to similar and better works already before the public. Of the matter or manner of the book, it is better as well as easier to say nothing. Those who honour the following pages with a perusal, will pronounce a verdict of good, bad, or indifferent, according to their own judgment, without reference to any plea or apology put forth by the author. But as every result, however trifling, has a cause, and as the cause is in this case of far greater importance than the result, the kind reader will perhaps endure an explanation, stating, as concisely as possible, why and wherefore Nozrâni has aspired to the distinction, and perchance the martyrdom, of a début in print. The cause, then, is a cause ecclesiastical, as well beseems one who holds the high and responsible rank of a Presbyter in the Church of England. These sheets would assuredly never have gone to press, had it not been for the suggestion of more than one friend, that their sale might possibly promote a project for improving the internal arrangement of a Parish Church, in which as one of its elected ministers the writer of these lines feels deeply interested. Among other attempts to further this object, was one on the part of the author, by giving, during the long evenings of last winter, what for want of a less imposing and more appropriate term, must be called a series of Lectures on various subjects-one of them "Eastern Travel." Many of the inhabitants of this city, including the highest authorities, ecclesiastical |