"I did not intend, until after six of the following essays were published, to write more than seven or eight altogether, or to bring them into collective form. The consequence is, that while they possess unity of purpose, they do not present a continued and general statement, but are correctly designated "fragments" ... Part of the series was written during, and others after the close of the Great Exhibition of Manufactures. which is, therefore, occasionally mentioned as existing, and sometimes as past. They do not describe the productions exhibited, unless where references of that character are necessary for their immediate objects, namely, as expressed on the separate covers, to illustrate three great facts: -- First, that as Art must be founded upon, and work with, the material provided in Nature, therefore it must have all the tendency justly ascribed to the latter, of elevating the mind from the things made to the Maker: Second, that the progress of art and mechanism fulfils the prophecies contained in the Bible, and affords a continually increasing stream of evidence in favour of its claim to reverence, as the Word of God: Third, that all the improvements of the present age accelerate the inter course of mankind; the power of civilised men for good or evil; and the responsibility of Christians to promote everywhere a knowledge of the only faith that has ever raised the social condition of the human race, or that can afford to them peace in life, and rational and secure hope in death."--Preface.

MASS copy: Bound in teal-blue cord-grain cloth blocked in gold and blind. With yellow endpapers. Lacking upper free endpaper.