Excerpt from Thomas a Kempis, Vol. 1: And the Brothers of Common Life The present work has been the labour of many years, with the exception of some long intervals needed for other matters. The character of it was such that it could not be hastily written, since much patient research and labour were required, careful thought, and, in no small degree, a thorough com prehension of the works of Thomas a Kempis. In the Introductory Chapter the apology for writing these Memorials. The plan pursued, and the sources from whence the materials for the work have been taken, are set forth and it is only to notice a few other matters that this preface is needed. Two or three objects have been kept steadily in view. First, to collect and set in order the many varied and scattered particulars relative to the Life and Writings of Thomas a Kempis. It was peculiarly a hidden life, of which it was only possible to catch occasional glimpses, from what the old biographers said of him; while there still remained much that could be learnt respecting him, though indirectly. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.