"Vain is the ridicule with which one foresees some persons will divert themselves, upon finding lesser pains
considered as instances of divine punishment. There is no possibility of answering or evading the general thing
here intended, without denying all final causes." BUTLER AUT.

FOURTH EDITION,

REVISED, CORRECTED, AND ENLARGED.

EDINBURGH:

WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS;

LONGMAN AND CO., SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., AND ORR AND SMITH,
LONDON; JOHN ANDERSON, JUN. EDINBURGH, AND

JOHN M'LEOD, GLASGOW.

1886.

COLLEGE
LIBRARY

STEREOTYPED BY ALEXANDER KIRKWOOD, ST ANDREW STREET; AND PRINTED AT THE STEAM-PRESS OF W. AND R. CHAMBERS, WATERLOO PLACE, EDINBURGH.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FOURTH EDITION.

THE Author is gratified to find that the present Work has been received with increasing favour, in proportion as it has been studied. The First Edition was published in 1828;-it consisted of only 1500 copies, and nearly seven years elapsed before another edition was demanded in this country. In March 1835, however, a Second Edition, of 3000 copies was published, which was bought up in four months. In August 1835, a Third Edition (stereotyped) was published, in 12mo; and the present is the Fourth Edition, in a new and cheaper form, which has also been stereotyped. Three editions have been printed in the United States of America, a translation in French has appeared in Paris, another in Swedish at Stockholm; and the Author has just received, from Germany, an application for the most recent corrections, with a view to a translation into the language of that country. The present edition, being the fourth, is named "THE PEOPLE'S EDITION," and is sold at ONE SHILLING AND SIXPENCE. It should be ordered under this name, otherwise the more expensive book may be sent at the price of four shillings.

23, CHARLOTTE SQUARE, EDINBURGH,

12th September 1835.

The first impression of "The People's Edition," consisting of 2000 copies, was published in October.

The second impression, consisting of 5000 copies, was published in November.

The third impression, also consisting of 5000 copies, was published on the 1st January 1836. The present is the fourth impression, also extending to 5000 copies, which is offered to "The People," with the Author's grateful acknowledgments for the spirited manner in which they have met his endeavour to bring the work within the compass of their pecuniary resources.

He has recently received a copy of a stereotyped Edition, in double columns, published in New York, in May 1835, at ONE SHilling. This having proceeded from the spontaneous act of an American publisher, unknown to the Author, it affords an additional proof of the interest taken in the work as one calculated for public instruction.

1st March 1836.