Translator's Preface

In offering to the public a translation of a work of so celebrated an author as Allan Kardec, and one so much beloved among spiritists in foreign countries, not only for his scientific attainments in spirit studies, but for his purity of life and character, I feel my own incompetency for the task—my own incompetency but for the assistance received from the Spirits who are interested in my undertaking. I have endeavored to render faithfully the exact meaning of the original, and I can truly say the work of translating has been a labor of love, to be fully repaid to me by the good I am sure it will perform among our own people.

As I offer the public a translation of a work by Allan Kardec, I feel unequal to the task. He is a celebrated author, much loved among spiritists abroad. They value him not only for his scientific achievements in spirit studies, but also for his pure life and character. I could not have undertaken this task without the help of the Spirits who are interested in my work. I have tried to convey the exact meaning of the original faithfully. I can truly say that translating it has been a labor of love. I will feel fully rewarded by the good I am sure it will do among our own people.

E. A. W.

E. A. W.