painters in the memory of their beholders.

It would occur to no one to accuse a successful historical picture
of falsehood, because the books of history do not show that the
occurrence took place precisely in the manner represented, that the
historical personages really so laughed or wept, or so deported
themselves. If the situation and grouping of historical events are
allowed to be in accordance with the general tenor of history, then
the picture may be pronounced historically true, and is just as good
a piece of history as the record of the special historian. It is the
same with the pictures of the romancer as with those of the painter;
and this is my answer to those who, on every occasion, are
continually asking: "Was it really thus? Did it really occur in that
manner?"

Show me from history that it could not be so; that it is not in
accordance with the character of the persons represented--then I
will confess that I am wrong, and you are right; then have I not
presented an illustration, but only a caricature of history, faulty
as a work of art, and wanting the dignity of truth.

I am conscious of having earnestly and devotedly striven for the
truth, and of having diligently sought it in all attainable
historical works. The author of an Historical Romance has before him
a difficult task: while he must falsify nothing in history, he must
poetize it in a manner that both historical and poetic truth shall
be the result. To those, however, who so very severely judge
Historical Romance, and would deny its historical worth, I now, in
conclusion, answer with the following significant quotation from
Schiller: