at his death, in a state which, it is hoped, justify their publication, although it is to be lamented, that his premature decease did not allow them to receive the last corrections from his own hand, by which they would, without doubt, have been rendered much more perfect, and worthy of the public eye. Of the two other divisions, a part of the second, treating of the external evidences of Christianity, was in forwardness, and some scattered materials were found of the remainder; but these, as being incomplete, although containing much valuable matter, it has been judged better entirely to omit. The portion of the work, however, which now appears, is, doubtless, that which would have proved most generally interesting from its connexion with a name so celebrated as that of Lord Byron; and under this view, forms a whole in itself; and it is now presented to the world, as found in the papers of the author, no liberty having been taken with it, but that of partially arranging the latter division of the work, which was not left in so finished a state as the former, and of making some few omissions and verbal alterations.

Some extracts from Dr. Kennedy's letters to an intimate and valued friend now also deceased, chiefly referring to his communication with Lord Byron and his intended publication, together with other extracts, will be found in the Appendix.

CONVERSATIONS

ON

RELIGION.

LORD BYRON arrived on the 6th of August, 1823, at Argostoli, the principal town of the island of Cephalonia. He came in the brig Hercules, which he had freighted to convey himself, his friends, and some stores for the use of the Greeks, in their struggle for liberty and independence. Count Gamba, an Italian nobleman, Mr. Hamilton Brown, and Mr. Trelawney, two English gentlemen, and Dr. Bruno, a young Italian physician, accompanied his lordship. Before proceeding to the continent, his lordship determined to remain a short time in one of the Ionian islands, in order to procure correct information with regard to the parties and factions, by which the continent was distracted, so as to enable him to form those plans which seemed most likely to heal all divisions, and promote the true interests of Greece. With this view he selected the island of Cephalonia,

B

partly on account of its vicinity to the continent, but chiefly, as it was understood, from having heard that the governor was a man of an enlightened mind, and favourable to the general cause of liberty and independence.

His lordship continued on board the ship in the harbour for four weeks; but having landed his horses, he took an airing every evening on horseback, attended by some of his companions. He made an excursion to visit Ithaca, a neighbouring island, separated from Cephalonia by a strait about two miles in breadth. He first despatched Mr. Hamilton Brown, and shortly afterwards Mr. Trelawney, to the continent, to procure accurate information with regard to the state of affairs in Greece, as he could more safely rely on them, than on the different Greek leaders, most of whom wrote to him, each endeavouring to persuade his lordship to join his party. Finding it necessary to wait longer than he at first expected, he paid off the vessel, landed his stores, and took a residence for himself, Count Gamba, and Dr. Bruno, at Metaxata, a pleasant and healthy village about four miles and a half from Argostoli. He continued here till the 27th of December, when he embarked for Missolonghi.