satisfy my mind and conscience. In this I was not
disappointed; and thinking that others might perhaps
profit by following the same path, I wished to put
together and publish the results of my thought and
reading. In such a scheme historical details are either
out of place or of secondary value; and I hope this
will be remembered by any historians who may take
the trouble to read my book.

The philosophical side of the subject is from my
point of view of much greater importance. I have
done my best to acquire an adequate knowledge of
those philosophies, both ancient and modern, which
are most akin to speculative Mysticism, and also to
think out my own position. I hope that I have
succeeded in indicating my general standpoint, and
that what I have written may prove fairly consistent
and intelligible; but I have felt keenly the disad-
vantage of having missed the systematic training in
metaphysics given by the Oxford school of Liteæ
Humaniores, and also the difficulty (perhaps I should
say the presumption) of addressing metaphysical
arguments to an audience which included several
eminent philosophers. I wish also that I had had
time for a more thorough study of Fechner's works;
for his system, so far as I understand it, seems to me
to have a great interest and value as a scheme of
philosophical Mysticism which does not clash with
modern science.

I have spoken with a plainness which will probably
give offence of the debased supernaturalism which
usurps the name of Mysticism in Roman Catholic
countries. I desire to insult no man's convictions;

-viii-