Lowry's compliment as his due, feels truly grateful for the courtesy and promptitude with which that gentleman communicated with him on the subject, and hopes that the task has been performed so "impartially and fairly" as to merit Mr. Lowry's approval as well as that of Miss Rowan, who, knowing her father's wish that the Memoir should be published, considered it as a sacred duty to have his wish fulfilled.
The autobiography, as the reader will soon discover, is written with great plainness and simplicity, its object being merely to serve as a record of facts. Accordingly its author never writes for effect, nor indulges in sentimentality or description. On the contrary, he has studiously suppressed the warmest emotions of his heart, as if he felt ashamed, or thought it beneath the dignity of his character, to give them expression. He could write well, and express himself strongly; and, when addressing Mrs. Rowan, his children, or his friends, he poured out his thoughts with tenderness and affection-with warmth and gratitude. But he did not court the graces of style, and it was altogether repugnant to his taste to give a meretricious colouring to any transaction in which he was engaged. As to the additions which the Editor thought necessary to