MEMOIR OF ROBERT CHAMBERS WITH AUTOBIOGRAPHIC REMINISCENCES OF WILLIAM CHAMBERS THIRD EDITION. NEW YORK SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG, AND CO. SUCCESSORS TO CHARLES SCRIBNER AND CO. 1872 Gift of Mrs. Clara L. Fish of Brookline (1436) RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY PREFATORY NOTE. On the death of my brother, Dr. Robert Chambers, numerous Biographic sketches of him appeared, both in Great Britain and the United States, all of them kind and complimentary, but in many cases imperfect or erroneous as regards certain leading details. It seemed to me that, while still spared life and opportunity, I might try to do justice to the memory of the deceased, by giving a correct history of his life and principal writings. The attempt, however, involved a difficulty. Having been intimately associated with my brother, not only in early life, but in literary enterprises, it was scarcely possible to relate the story of one without frequent reference to the other. I have so far yielded to this necessity, as to offer some Autobiographic Reminiscences, in subordination to the principal object in view. To this extent only is the Memoir that of two individuals. I need hardly say that the retrospect of some early events, which could not well be omitted, has not been unaccompanied with poignant recollections; but if a perusal of the narrative serves in any degree to inspire youth with notions of selfreliance, along with a hopeful dependence on Providence when pressed by adverse circumstances, I shall be more than recompensed. W. C. January, 1872. |