W.H. TINSON, Stereotyper.

PUDNEY & RUSSELL Printers.




APOLOGY


As one might justly be considered a clown, or, at least, not well
bred, who, without tapping at the door, or making a bow, or saying "By
your leave," or some other token of respect, should burst in upon
a company of persons unknown to him, and instead of a welcome would
deserve an unceremonious invitation to betake himself elsewhere
forthwith; so, I suppose, in presenting myself before you, my
honored Public, it is no more than civil to say something by way of
introduction. At least, I have observed from my obscure retreat in the
quiet village of Addlebrains, that the fashion in this respect, which
has prevailed, certainly, since the time of St. Luke, who commences
his Gospel with a preface to Theophilus, has come down to the present
day, differing therein from other fashions, which, for the most part,
are as transitory as the flowers of the field, and commending itself
thereby to the thoughtful consideration of the judicious; for it
cannot be deemed there is no value in that which has received the
sanction of centuries. Influenced by reflections of this description
and the like, I sat down one day in the little retreat, which the
indulgent partiality of my friends is accustomed to dignify with the
title of my "study," to endeavor to write a preface, and introduce