This quote is from F.J.A. Hort... Contrary to what has been said, he appears to be very well aware of where his abilities come from and why he wants to make a translation.
"It only remains to express an earnest hope that, whatever labour we have been allowed to contribute towards the ascertainment of the truth of the letter, may also be allowed, in ways which must for the most part be invisible to ourselves, to contribute towards strengthening, correcting, and extending human apprehension of the large truth of the spirit. Others assuredly in due time will prosecute the task with better resources of knowledge and skill, and amend the faults and defects of our processes and results. To be faithful to such light as could be enjoyed in our own day was the utmost that we could desire. How far we have fallen short of this standard, we are well aware; yet we are bold to say that none of the shortcomings are due to lack of anxious and watchful sincerity. An implicit confidence in all truth, a keen sense of its variety, and a deliberate dread of shutting out truth as yet unknown, are no security against some of the wandering lights that are apt to beguile a critic; but, in so far as they are obeyed, they at least quench every inclination to guide criticism into delivering such testimony as may be to the supposed advantage of truth already inherited or acquired. Critics of the Bible, if they have been taught by the Bible, are unable to forget that the duty of guileless workmanship is never superseded by any other. From Him who is at once the supreme Fountain of truth and the all-wise Lord of its uses, they have received both the materials of knowledge and the means by which they are wrought into knowledge; into His hands, and His alone, when the working is over, must they render back that which they have first and last received."
Also, it appears his view of textual criticism and translations when it comes to scripture went a little further than just viewing it as "just any other book".
Source Says: Bruce M. Metzger Professor of New Testament Greek, Emeritus
Front covers says under the above: Princeton Theological Seminary
http://www.iwashige.net/Westcott-Hort.htm