5

The great merit of the very distinguished
{gentlemen crossed out} persons who have preceded me in the occu-
pancy of the chair of law, in this University
fills me with apprehensions of which I have never
been more sensible, than at the moment I began
to discharge its duties.

{crossed out text: Apologies, however, are vain and
promises useless }
But, as I cannot occupy your
time with vain apologies, or useless promises
I proceed at once to the subject which has called
us together.