Sentence:  As these <WSD>disquisitions</WSD> were not originally intended for the public eye, the writer, several years ago, was induced to limit an impression of them to a small number of copies, that he might have the pleasure of placing them in the hands of a learned few, for whom he entertained a particular affection or respect, and whom he knew to be conversant with, or interested in, the subject of his enquiry. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A lengthy, formal discourse that analyses or explains some topic;  a dissertation or treatise.