"This edition of the `Major Prophets' has been the chosen work of the
author's leisure, and he is almost afraid to say how many of the best
years of his life have been spent upon it. A strange fortune has
happened to it. Years ago it was finished, and it was written out,
and ready for the press. At that time it was burnt--no matter under
what circumstances--by a boy's hand. At first, the author never hoped
to have the courage or power to resume and finish the task again. But
it pleased God, Who sent him this trial, to provide him also with
leisure, and opportunity, and resolution, so that the old misfortune
is now at last repaired. It is for the sake of one person, and one
person only, that these private matters are intruded on the reader's
notice; but that person, if his eye should ever fall on these lines,
will know also why the word `repaired' has been printed in larger
letters. And I would also tell him with all kindness, that it has
pleased God to bring out of the rash act of his boyhood nothing but
good. The following commentary is, I humbly trust, far more worthy of
its high subject, now that it has received the maturer consideration
of my advancing years, than it would have been had it seen the light
at Saint Winifred's long ago. I write this for the sake of the boy
who then wept for what seemed an _irreparable_ fault; and I add
thankfully, that never for a moment have I retracted my then
forgiveness; that I think of his after efforts with kindliness and
affection; and that he has, and always will have, my best prayers for
his interest and welfare.

"H. Paton."

CHAPTER TEN.

UPHILLWARDS.

"But that Conscience makes me firm.
The boon companion, who her strong breastplate
Buckles on him that feels no guilt within,
And bids him on and fear not."

Dante, c. xxviii.

"Qui s'excuse s'accuse." "If a character can't defend itself, it's not
worth defending." "No one was ever written down, except by himself."
These, and proverbs like these, express the common and almost
instinctive feeling, that self-defence under calumny is generally
unsuccessful, and almost always involves a loss of dignity. Partly from
this cause, and partly from penitence for his real errors, and partly
from scorn at the malice that misrepresented him, and the Pharisaism of
far worse offenders that held aloof from his misfortune, Walter said
nothing to exculpate h