Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Imp.: _ half- title wanting

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

PREFACE.

SOME Editor, in drawing out a prospectus for his periodical, remarks, that " to us the most disgusting kind of arrogance is that which pretends to have no pretensions ;" and he afterwards says, "We do not believe that the kingdom of Great Britain is to be gained, like the kingdom of Heaven, by excessive humility." I am much inclined to coincide with his opinion ; and though I am aware that no work stands more in need of the generosity of the reader and the indulgence of the critic than the one now presented to the public, yet it should not go forth to that public without some claims, however lowly, upon their attention and regard; and I am sufficiently presumptuous to hope, that the deep interest and importance of some of the subjects discussed will, in some degree, make up for those errors

in judgment, and that deficiency in style, which are ever liable to mark the productions of one unused to tread the winding paths of the mazy labyrinth of literature..

1

I therefore do not hesitate to avow that Four Years' Residence in the West Indies," amongst numerous bad qualities which I must beg the reader to pardon, pretends also to the possession of three good ones.by

1. The first consists in its originality, in being the first work of the kind ever published in this country.

ך
ין

[ocr errors]

The second, in the variety of subjects it contains; affording, or at least endeavouring to afford, something that may prove acceptable to nearly every class of readers.bl

[ocr errors]

The third, and most important, in its authenticity and its truth; for I can positively assert, and I would lay particular emphasis on this circumstance, that no facts are mar rated but those which I have either personally witnessed or derived from the most undoubted authority.

!........

[ocr errors]

From the commencement of the volume I have chosen a light style, because I wished to entertain the reader, and to avoid the often tedious and dry monotony of a common book of travels ; and this style I have continued to

1

« ZurückWeiter »