CHAPTER XV. THE IRISH PREFACE.
Gentle reader,
If an Irishman were asked what a preface was, he would, withouthesitation reply, that it was the last chapter of a book, and we shouldunquestionably pronounce that answer to be a bull; for how can prefatoryremarks be valedictory ones? A few moments' consideration, however,would induce us to withdraw such a hasty opinion, and convince us thathis idea is, after all, a correct one. It is almost always the partthat is last written, and _we_ perpetrate the bull, by placing it at thebeginning instead of the end of the book, and denominating our partingwords introductory remarks.
The result of our arrangement is, that nobody reads it. The public donot want to hear an apology or explanation, until it first ascertains,whether the one can be accepted, or the other is required. Thiscontemptuous neglect arises from two causes, first because it is outof place, and secondly because it too often contains a great dealof twaddle. Unfortunately, one half of what is said in this world isunmeaning compliment. A man who wishes to mark his respect for you,among other inconvenient methods of shewing it, offers to accompany youto the Hall. You are in consequence arrested in your progress. You arecompelled to turn on your pursuer, and entreat him not to come to thedoor. After a good deal of lost time he is prevailed upon to return.This is not fair. Every man should be suffered to depart in peace.
Now, it is my intention to adopt the Irish definition. The word prefaceis a misnomer. What I have to say I shall put into my last chapter, andassign to it its proper place. I shall also adopt another improvement,on the usual practice. I shall make it as short as possible, and speakto the point.
My intention then, gentle reader, was when I commenced this work, towrite but one volume, and at some future time to publish a second.The materials, however, were so abundant, that selection became verydifficult, and compression much more so. To touch as many topics as Idesigned, I was compelled to extend it to its present size, and I stillfeel that the work is only half done. Whether I shall ever be able tosupply this deficiency I cannot say. I do not doubt your kind reception;I have experienced too much indulgence and favour at your hands, tosuppose that you will withdraw it from one whom you have honoured withrepeated marks of approbation; but I entertain some fears that I shallnot 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 priorclaim to its disposal.
If, however, I shall be enabled so to do, it is my intention, hereafterto add another series of the Sayings and Doings of the Attache, so as tomake the work as complete as possible.
I am quite confident it is not necessary to add, that the sentimentsuttered by Mr. Slick, are not designed either as an expression of thoseof the author, or of the Americans who visit this country. With respectto myself no disavowal is necessary; but I feel it due to my Americanfriends, for whose kindness I can never be sufficiently grateful,and whose good opinion I value too highly to jeopardise it by anymisapprehension, to state distinctly, that I have not the most remoteidea 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 humannature--quickness of perception and appreciation of the ridiculous onthe one hand; and on the other from his defective education, ignoranceof the usages of society, and sudden elevation, from the lower walks oflife, 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 torefer to scenes that may be supposed to have such a hearing. Should anyone imagine that he can trace any resemblance, to any private occurrenceI can only assure him that such resemblance is quite accidental.
On the other hand, I have lost no opportunity of inculcating what Iconceive to be good sound constitutional doctrines. Loyal myself, agreat admirer of the monarchical form of government; attached to BritishInstitutions, and a devoted advocate for the permanent connexionbetween the parent State, and its transatlantic possessions, I have nothesitated to give utterance to these opinions. Born a Colonist, it isnatural I should have the feelings of one, and if I have obtrudedlocal matters on the notice of the reader oftener than may be thoughtnecessary, it must be remembered that an inhabitant of those distantcountries has seldom an opportunity of being heard. I should feel,therefore, if I were to pass over in silence our claims or ourinterests, I was affording the best justification for that neglect,which for the last half century, has cramped our energies, paralized ourefforts, and discouraged and disheartened ourselves. England is liberalin concessions, and munificent in her pecuniary grants to us; but isso much engrossed with domestic politics, that she will bestow upon usneither time nor consideration.
It has been my object, therefore, to convey to the public some importanttruths, under a humorous cover, which, without the amusement afforded bythe wrapper would never be even looked at.
This portion of the work requires no apology. To do as I have done, isa duty incumbent on any person who has the means of doing good, affordedhim by such an extensive circulation of his works, as I have beenhonoured with.
I have already expressed some doubts whether I shall be enabled tofurnish a second series of this work or not. In this uncertainty, I willnot omit this, perhaps my only opportunity, of making my most gratefulacknowledgments, for the very great measure of indulgence I havereceived, from the public on both sides of the Atlantic, and ofexpressing a hope that Mr. Slick, who has been so popular as aClockmaker may prove himself equally deserving of favour as "anAttache."
I have the honour to subscribe myself,
Your most obedient servant,
THE AUTHOR.
London, July 1st., 1843.
THE END.
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