ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1855, BY J. C. DERBY, IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK DAVIES AND ROBERTS, STEREOTYPERS, 201 William Street, N. Y. PREFACE. THE writer of this history is aware that the critics are prone to smile at all attempts at confidences between an author and the public. Still, in the present instance, he is disposed for a very brief period to take his stand at the confessional. He is frank to say that his work is not what he would endeavor to make it, were plot and detail now for the first to be determined. A considerable time has elapsed since it was written-in truth, it has been held in reserve much more than the period prescribed by the discreet Horace: but notwithstanding the space allotted to ripening, and a very thorough revision, the broad features of the original cast were found too deeply set to admit of material change. He would now, were it practicable, modify some of the incidents-render them less vivid in color as well as more sober in character—and he would also, in some cases, amplify and extend them, even at the risk of win nowing some favorite portions quite away; for it may be charged, with a show of reason, that the events occasionally crowd very closely on each other's heels. In short, were he to write again, with an equal freedom of choice as to subject and action, he would select a different field, and court invention and adventure less, and quiet more; for the storm of passion and the blast of the trumpet are not so much to his taste now as they were once. But, after all, he is by no means certain that the public would be well pleased with the change. The book contains his early fresh thoughts, fancies, and feelings, frankly spoken; and will appeal strongly to the buoyant and more honest side of life; and so, consoling himself with the belief that it is defaced by no unworthy sentiment, and that it presents in the main a fair picture of the times as they existed among us a century ago, when the Georges of England were our kings, and the Confederacy of the Six Nations of Red Men our allies, he is content to submit it into the hands of the publishers as it is. BROOKLYN, August, 1855. |