FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   >>  
write but one volume, and at some future time to publish a second. The materials, however, were so abundant, that selection became very difficult, and compression much more so. To touch as many topics as I designed, I was compelled to extend it to its present size, and I still feel that the work is only half done. Whether I shall ever be able to supply this deficiency I cannot say. I do not doubt your kind reception; I have experienced too much indulgence and favour at your hands, to suppose that you will withdraw it from one whom you have honoured with repeated marks of approbation; but I entertain some fears that I shall not be able to obtain the time that is necessary for its completion, and that if I can command the leisure, my health will insist on a prior claim to its disposal. If, however, I shall be enabled so to do, it is my intention, hereafter to add another series of the Sayings and Doings of the Attache, so as to make the work as complete as possible. I am quite confident it is not necessary to add, that the sentiments uttered by Mr. Slick, are not designed either as an expression of those of the author, or of the Americans who visit this country. With respect to myself no disavowal is necessary; but I feel it due to my American friends, for whose kindness I can never be sufficiently grateful, and whose good opinion I value too highly to jeopardise it by any misapprehension, to state distinctly, that I have not the most remote idea of putting Mr. Slick forward, as a representative of any opinions, but his own individual ones. They are peculiar to himself. They naturally result from his shrewdness--knowledge of human nature--quickness of perception and appreciation of the ridiculous on the one hand; and on the other from his defective education, ignorance of the usages of society, and sudden elevation, from the lower walks of life, to a station for which he was wholly unqualified. I have endeavoured, as far as it was possible, in a work of this kind, to avoid all personal allusions to _private_ persons, or in any way to refer to scenes that may be supposed to have such a hearing. Should any one imagine that he can trace any resemblance, to any private occurrence I can only assure him that such resemblance is quite accidental. On the other hand, I have lost no opportunity of inculcating what I conceive to be good sound constitutional doctrines. Loyal myself, a great admirer of the monarchical form of
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   >>  



Top keywords:

private

 

designed

 

resemblance

 

grateful

 

nature

 

shrewdness

 

quickness

 

knowledge

 
highly
 

ridiculous


appreciation
 

perception

 

opinion

 
misapprehension
 

putting

 
jeopardise
 
individual
 

distinctly

 

forward

 

result


representative

 

naturally

 
peculiar
 

opinions

 
remote
 

assure

 

accidental

 

occurrence

 
supposed
 

hearing


Should

 

imagine

 

opportunity

 

inculcating

 

admirer

 

monarchical

 

doctrines

 

conceive

 
constitutional
 
scenes

station

 

elevation

 

sudden

 

education

 

ignorance

 

usages

 

society

 

wholly

 

allusions

 

persons